What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth, encompassing diversity within species, between species, and among ecosystems. It includes all living organisms, ranging from microorganisms to plants and animals, as well as their interactions with their environments. Biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecosystem stability, resilience, and the provision of essential ecosystem services, including pollination, water purification, and climate regulation. Globally, biodiversity is threatened by a variety of human impacts, including climate change, toxic pollution, changes in land use, and habitat loss and fragmentation.

Mission of the Biodiversity Committee

  1. work to understand, sustain, and restore biodiverse plant, animal, fungal, and microbial populations and their habitats
  2. educate the general public, the Town of Acton, the Acton Water District, and the Acton-Boxborough School District about the importance of biodiversity, potential threats, and practical solutions
  3. help Acton combat the use of pesticides, herbicides, and other toxins that threaten the health of wildlife, humans, ecosystems, and water resources
  4. advocate, when warranted for or against specific policies at the local or state levels
  5. use the lens of biodiversity to promote (1) understanding and appreciation of living things and their ecosystems, and (2) the wonder found in and through the natural world

Strategies

The Green Acton Biodiversity Committee:

  • tracks and advocates for the health and protection of Acton’s animal, plant, fungal, and microbial populations, as well as their ecosystems and habitats
  • monitors factors that affect biodiversity, such as climate change, habitat intrusion or destruction via development, pollution, impacts of invasive species, and others

Because threats to biodiversity can be broad, complex, and interactive, the Biodiversity Committee may collaborate with other Green Acton committees (e.g, Water, Land Use, Toxics), and/or other entities, on projects when useful.

See our complete charter.

Get Involved

The Biodiversity Committee is a new and exciting area for Green Acton. We are seeking volunteers who want to make a lasting impact on Acton’s environment by serving as champions for biodiversity. We meet monthly and work on projects between meetings. Be sure to check the Green Acton meetings calendar to attend the next meeting. You can contact us for any reason at biodiversity-contact@GreenActon.org.

Upcoming biodiversity events

View Calendar

Recent Accomplishments:

  • launching the Committee, defined its mission, and held inaugural meetings
  • developing educational materials about the dangers of using second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) to kill mice and rats. These toxins — used by the town of Acton, the Acton-Boxborough schools, commercial buildings, and exterminators in private homes — pose a danger to wildlife, pets, and even children.
  • working toward Green Acton support of the Massachusetts State Legislature’s bill S.644/H.965, “An Act restricting the use of rodenticides in the environment,” slated for a legislative hearing in October
  • monitored biodiversity initiatives in Arlington, Maynard, Concord, and other communities to learn best practices and consider joint initiatives