SAVE THE DATE:
Monday, May 13, 7:00-8:30p Wakelin Room, Wellesley Free Library Please join a community forum – "Housing and Land Conservation – It Doesn't Have to Be Either/Or" – a panel discussion organized by the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust and co-sponsored by Wellesley Free Library, Building a Better Wellesley, and Sustainable Wellesley. Since in-person attendance is limited to 150 (Zoom is also available), please register at the bottom of the library's announcement page at https://wellesleyfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/12381780 The objective of the panel is to provide a forum for ideas as to how pro-active collaboration between community housing proponents and land conservation advocates can lead to successful outcomes. To start the panel, three individuals – one each from a land trust, a housing interest group, and a planning perspective – will describe their experiences along the way to a successful collaborative project. Each will describe their specific project and lessons learned. After the presentation of the examples, we will have three local responders – one each from our housing, land trust, and planning communities – respond to these examples. What lessons can be applied to pro-active planning for Wellesley's community housing and land conservation needs. Questions from the audience are welcomed. Since attendance is limited to 150, please register at the bottom of the library's announcement page at https://wellesleyfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/12381780 Thanks Green Needham for this story!
Right down the street in Needham there is another example of net energy home. These super energy efficient houses generate enough solar power to provide all the electricity needed for the home’s heating, cooling, hot water, cooking, and other electrical systems. Green Needham has already profiled one family’s process of deciding to build a zero net energy home and condo neighbors who retrofitted their 1860-sq.-ft units to drastically reduce the carbon footprints. Now let’s take a look at another Needham home and learn more about the building techniques that create a home with no carbon emissions and no utility bills. The construction of this home, which uses the most energy-efficient technology currently available, differs from traditional construction methods in several important ways. It’s all in the envelope! The builder is paying great attention to the “envelope” of the house, the exterior shell that separates the home from the outside world. Energy efficient houses have tight envelopes to minimize the flow of air and moisture between the home and the outside. When the airflow in and out is minimized, a house needs much less heating and cooling, which saves energy and reduces costs. To achieve a tight envelope, the builder has created a continuous exterior wrap of foam over the house studs and foundation, to keep heat from migrating through the framing to the outside world. The wall framing uses a special stud called a T-stud. T-studs have spaces in the center to allow spray foam insulation to flow through the stud itself, which further helps to keep heat from leaking to the outside. In addition, the builder has installed triple pane windows that open like casement windows and provide a tight seal when closed. But won’t the house be too tight? Haven’t we been hearing about the importance of fresh air and ventilation? But no, an envelope cannot be too tight. A home with a tight envelope keeps the air quality healthy using ventilation and air filtration systems. A leaky house allows heat to escape and moisture and air contaminants to enter the home. A tight house manages the flow of air and filters it as it enters the home to ensure that the air is as healthy as possible. No fossil fuels! The house is powered entirely by electricity. Most, if not all, of the home’s electricity will come from a rooftop solar system. Because the house has a tight envelope, its energy needs will be modest for its size, and the electricity generated by the solar panels is likely to be sufficient. The home’s HVAC system will be a geothermal heat pump, powered, like the rest of the house, by the solar panels. In a geothermal system, water circulates in underground pipes, capturing the constant temperature of the earth below, and transferring the warmth or cooling to the building. Geothermal is the most efficient HVAC system currently available, and it has the lowest carbon footprint of any HVAC system. Energy Efficient Details. Finally, the home has many interior features that will increase its energy efficiency and the comfort of the family members. The house uses radiant floor heat in all living areas and the HVAC system has separate controls for each major room. The interior walls are well-insulated, which keeps the house quiet and allows the family to heat and cool only the areas that are in use. The plumbing drain incorporates a heat exchanger called a Power Pipe. This ingenious device captures some of the heat energy that goes down the drain when you are doing laundry or taking a shower. The captured energy, which is normally wasted, is used to preheat the water flowing into the water heater so the heater doesn’t have to work as hard. This beautiful home is large, but the same technology can be used in a house of any size. The advanced construction techniques and HVAC system allow any house to use less energy for heating and cooling. And the low energy use makes it much easier, in turn, to install a solar system that is large enough to power the home. The upfront costs to build this energy-efficient home are slightly higher than traditional construction, but the additional cost will be recouped over time, as an energy efficient building is economical to run. Think of your monthly utility bills. The goal for this home is to reduce that monthly expense to zero. These technologies are easier to install when a home is first built, but some of them, such as solar panels and electric HVAC systems, can be added during renovations or when systems need to be replaced. Moving toward net-zero housing is beneficial for both the homeowner and the environment! The Reusables Area at the Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF) is open for the 2024 season.
The hours of operation are:
Volunteers are always needed for the Reusables Area. Please contact the RDF Office for information. When using the Reusables Area, please remember that decisions to accept/reject large items are made on a case-by-case basis. Please be considerate of other users. Questions? Email dpw@wellesleyma.gov UU Wellesley Hills is hosting a Rummage Sale this Saturday, April 20th at 309 Washington Street
from 9am-1pm. Nothing better than re-using items. Pre-loved treasures await you!. Looking for a School vacation activity? Date night activity?
Head over to the Peabody Essex Museum for their impressive “Our Time on Earth” exhibit. This is a major new immersive exhibition from London’s Barbican Centre showing how, through technology, we can reveal the natural world like never before, and approach the climate crisis in ways that inspire hope and positivity. Our Time on Earth is organized around three key themes: Belong: This section of the exhibition tells the story about how we connect to other species to help us understand – and embody – our place in the biosphere. Imagine: Discover new artworks and commissions that show positive possibilities for the future. There isn’t just one solution to the climate emergency, and this section presents multiple possible visions for how we could create a radically different world. Engage: Once inspired by these imaginative works and future-looking approaches, you may ask: What can I do to make a difference? The Engage section will address this and empower you to act. If you're looking for a new printer, consider a 'tank' printer. They have refillable tanks of ink that live in the printer instead of expensive ink cartridges and all the waste that goes with them.
One of our Leadership Team Members, Quentin, has had an Epson EcoTank printer for 6 years and swears by it. Here is a list of recommended printers that are available now - for color, black and white, and photos: www.techradar.com/best/ink-tank-printer. Send your sustainability tips to info@SustainableWellesley.com. Thank you Tatiana for giving it your all and running the Boston Marathon to raise money and awareness about climate action in Wellesley. Also, a big thank you to those that donated!! Please consider helping her surpass her fundraising goal by donating today. Click here:
www.givengain.com/campaign/tatiana-is-running-the-marathon-for-sustainable-wellesley The money raised from Tatiana's marathon fundraising enhances Sustainable Wellesley's ability to do all that we do, including:
Learn from some incredible gardeners at Wellesley’s Community Gardens on Sunday, April 21st from 1:00 - 3:00 at Wellesley’s Community Garden on Weston Road. The program - co-sponsored by Sustainable Wellesley, Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, and Wellesley’s Natural Resources Commission - will cover site selection, crop suggestions, growing tips, and more.
Longtime gardener, John Spencer will launch the event with tips on how to start a garden. Michael Tobin -- a 15 year Weston Road Community Gardener whose specialty is growing enough garlic to last his family and friends through the entire year, plus use the seed for the next year's crop -- will talk about techniques for minimizing maintenance. Then, Lisa Moore -- Environmental Education, Outreach and Compliance Coordinator for the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission -- who enjoys learning new gardening techniques will offer an opportunity for the community to dip their toes into gardening. Side conversations may include pruning and growing flowers. This community, in-person event is open to anyone interested in starting a garden, including those who already have plots. All attendees will be gifted strawberry starter plants. Please click here to register for the event. See you in the garden! Rain date Is April 28th. Thank you to our co-sponsors: The Wellesley Conservation Land Trust is Wellesley’s local 501(c)(3) non-profit land trust that protects 14 sanctuaries across more than 45 acres of natural land in Wellesley and bordering lands in Needham and Weston. More information about our mission, the sanctuaries and membership can be found at WellesleyConservationLandTrust.org. The Wellesley Natural Resources Commission (NRC) oversees the use, preservation and protection of the town’s parks and conservation areas, serves as tree warden, sets policies for insect control and pesticide use, and protects the town watershed areas. The Commission also appoints the Wetlands Protection Committee and Trails Committee. The NRC serves as administrator for two community gardens in Wellesley that provide rental plots to residents. You are invited to Wellesley's first Climate Cafe on Thursday, April 25, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Wellesley Free Library in the Commons.
Mark your calendars so you can chat with an Energy Coach while enjoying FREE coffee and refreshments. Why should you make time from your busy day? week? life? We can help you save money, increase the value of your property, improve your health, and preserve the planet for the people you love. Learn about: ● Local, state, and federal financial incentives for electrification ●No-cost technical advice to help you prepare to upgrade your HVAC, water heater, and appliances ● Lower heating and cooling costs ● Increased property value ● Improved indoor air quality ● Public transportation ● Impressive financial incentives when you buy an electric vehicle ● A safer yard for children, pets, and the environment ● Reduced waste We can help you shrink your carbon footprint today See you next Thursday! A Zoom Workshop on Transitioning to Electric Equipment and Other Healthier Practices for Residents of Lexington and Wellesley:
Join Quiet Communities Founder Jamie Banks and American Green Zone Alliance President Dan Mabe and other special guests for a discussion about how residents can support a healthy transition away from fossil fuel-powered equipment to improve the health of workers, children, the public, and the environment. Bring your questions. Register here Residents of both towns are invited to attend a hands-on electric equipment demonstration on May 8th at 12:15 p.m on the lawn at Cary Memorial Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington. For more information, contact rsvp@quietcommunities.org |
Categories
All
|