Contributed by Christopher Edwards and Martha Rounds, Green Acton Toxics/Pesticides Subcommittee To take good care of a lawn or garden in Acton, simply buying an off-the-shelf fertilizer and spreading it once or twice a year can be tempting. This guide offers great information on fertilizing your yard in a way that is better for your… Continue reading →
Creating a Lush, Healthy Lawn without Synthetic Chemicals
Many people love their lawns. In the post–World War II period, they became a symbol of domestic status and beauty, and at the same time became more uniform and “greener.” And though it may seem odd to think about environmental damage and lawns at the same time, “chemical” lawns actually cause significant damage to the… Continue reading →
Green Acton Recommendations for Select Board 2023 Annual Goal Setting
At the Green Acton meeting of May 9, 2023, Green Acton directors (and assembled members) agreed to draft and send a statement supporting two goals for the Select Board annual goal-setting process: (1) Understanding PFAS Pathways and Reducing Exposure Risks and (2) Creating Land/Tree Clearing Limits. What follows is the recommendations memo that was sent… Continue reading →
Green Acton Supports Water Rate Study Article for AWD Annual Meeting
The warrant for the Acton Water District (AWD) 2023 annual meeting includes an article asking the district to commission an external expert study of water rates. Green Acton Directors voted to support this article because it has the potential to support Green Acton’s mission by conserving water resources and advancing environmental justice.
Less Lawn, More Garden: Making Your Yard a Home for Birds and Pollinators
Contributed by Martha Rounds How Do Lawns Affect the Natural Environment? The traditional American lawn is a monoculture that requires consistent mowing, fertilizing, watering, and pesticides. Lawns in the U.S. are estimated by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to cover three times more area than any food crop (e.g., corn or soybeans). More than… Continue reading →
Statement by Green Acton: Deny the Proposed 67 Powdermill Road Special Permit
The following statement, approved by the Green Acton Board of Directors, was shared with the Acton Board of Selectmen (now Acton Select Board) and multiple other Town entities between March 28 and April 1, 2021:
Acton’s River Street Dam, Today and Centuries Ago
Dams across the brooks and rivers of the SuAsCo (Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers) watershed provided hydropower for early industrialization. But today, some of those dams pose flood risks, and are being re-evaluated and removed. This post describes the situation at the River Street Dam in Acton.
A Heads-Up: Prep Your Questions and Comments for WR Grace Status and Reuse Meeting
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has scheduled a community/stakeholder information session, about the status and future of the WR Grace (WRG) Superfund site, for February 3 at 7pm. This post provides some background and links to further information to help area residents formulate their questions and comments about the status of the clean-up, what zoning… Continue reading →
Meeting about Reuse of the W.R. Grace Site set for February 3
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has scheduled an informational meeting to update the community about the status of the WR Grace Superfund site and discuss possible future reuses of the Acton portion of the site.
Green Acton Position on Protecting Public Shade Trees
Approved by the Green Acton Board of Directors This memo has been written to advocate for changes to provide more protection for Public Shade Trees in Acton.