Contributed by Chris Edwards, Chair, Green Acton Toxics/Pesticides Subcommittee Ticks can bite and cause serious diseases, such as Lyme disease, all year. Although tick infection is commonly assumed to be a summer ailment, the tiny bugs can survive even in near-freezing temperatures, waiting for passengers. Surprisingly, October and November are periods of heightened activity in… Continue reading →
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 →
Coming Changes to Acton Power Choice in 2022
In October, most Acton electricity customers will see increases in prices. What follows in this article is information on the source of those changes, information on how to weather the storm of spiking electricity prices, and the good news about renewable energy.
How Level 3 Critical Drought Manifests in Acton
On July 21, 2022, the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force declared that the Northeast Region of Massachusetts, including Acton, had moved into Level 3 Critical Drought status. The Drought Management Task Force (DMTF) uses six different types of information in deciding when to declare a drought. This post takes a look at how these six… Continue reading →
Greener Ways to Avoid Acton’s Mosquitoes
by Chris Edwards, Chair, Green Acton Toxics/Pesticides Subcommittee While you’re enjoying the outdoors in Acton, it’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones from being bitten by mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other insects, since these critters can carry harmful viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Unfortunately, some of the most effective repellents have environmental and toxic… Continue reading →
Free Training to Become an Acton Energy Advocate!
EnergizeActon.org, part of the Acton Climate Coalition, is working with the Town of Acton and Abode Energy Management on a new “Energy Advocate” program, which will train volunteers to help people with electrification of their homes/buildings, as well as with other energy efficiency and renewable energy measures (e.g., heat pump technology, solar power, electric vehicle… Continue reading →
FAQ: Understanding Acton’s Polystyrene Ban
At the May 2022 Annual Town Meeting, Acton voters joined more than 50 other communities in the Commonwealth in approving a new bylaw related to polystyrene (aka Styrofoam™). The goals of the bylaw are protecting residents’ health and reducing a significant source of plastic pollution. The Polystyrene and Disposable Plastic Reduction Bylaw will allow Acton… Continue reading →
Acton Water District Solar Project Off and Running
On June 22, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on the site of the new and very large solar array and battery storage project sited on Acton Water District land on Lawsbrook Road in Acton. Now operational, the 4.69 MW solar + 4 MWh battery storage facility adds to the renewable energy available to the Acton… Continue reading →
Missed the “Acton’s Water Cycle” Forum? Catch Up Here (inc. event video)
by Norm Strahle and Kim Kastens The June 8, 2022 forum, hosted by the Green Acton Water Committee, covered the topic of “Acton’s Water Cycle,” beginning with where Acton’s drinking water comes from and culminating with what happens when it goes down the drain. The format included poll questions for the forum attendees and a… Continue reading →
June 8: Interactive Discussion of Acton’s Water Cycle
The Green Acton Water Committee invites you to the fourth in our series of educational forums about water issues of concern to Acton, to be held on June 8, 7–8:30pm, by Zoom. This year’s forum will take the generalized concept of “the water cycle” and apply it to the specific situation of Acton. Register for the… Continue reading →