There is a Solid Constituency that Values Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship
Here are those organizations

Volunteer Groups

• Friends of Brookside
• Friends of Morses Pond
• Friends of The North 40
• Friends of Recycling
• League of Women Voters
• Shoppers Corner
• Wellesley Birding
• Wellesley Cancer Prevention Project
• Wellesley Conservation Council

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Schools and Colleges

• Babson College : Go Fossil Free
• Babson College Eco Reps
• Babson Energy & Environmental Club
• Fossil Free Wellesley
• Three College Skill Share
• Wellesley Energy and Environmental Defense (WEED)
• Wellesley Green Schools (part of Sustainable Wellesley)

All of these bodies and Sustainable Wellesley meet periodically under the banner of the “Green Collaborative”.  There are, happily, far too many groups to describe here, and you can learn more with the links above.  We hope you will join at least one or two of them.  We collaborate on many issues so jump in to a committee, volunteer group that sounds interesting to you. 

Town Bodies

The Town of Wellesley has two groups who are primarily concerned with Sustainability issues:

• Natural Resources Commission (NRC)
  • Trails Committee
  • Wetlands Protection Committee
• Sustainable Energy Committee (SEC)

The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) Mission: “To provide stewardship of, education about, and advocacy for the Town of Wellesley’s park, conservation, recreation and open space system so that the full value of the Town’s natural assets can be passed onto future generations.” 

Since 1979 the NRC has held the statutory authority of Park Commissions, Conservation Commissions, Tree Wardens, Town Forest Committees, and Forestry and Pest Control Officers.The NRC appoints the Wetlands Protection Committee (referred to as the “Conservation Commission” in other towns), a five-member board with the authority to administer and enforce the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, the Wellesley Wetlands Protection Bylaw, the Endangered Species Act, Scenic Rivers Act, Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, and dozens of others.  Much of the unique character of Wellesley is due to the work of the NRC over the decades, and they work to ensure that development continues to maintain and promote the natural strengths of our Town.

The Sustainable Energy Committee (SEC) consists of one appointee each from: The Board of Selectmen, the Municipal Light Board and the School Committee.  The Board of Selectmen appoint two more members from residents active in the Town’s sustainable energy initiatives, or others who bring relevant expertise.  The Committee prepares an annual Town-wide emissions inventory and proposes goals to reduce the Town's greenhouse gas emissions from the municipal, residential, commercial, industrial and institutional sectors.  The Committee works with municipal departments, businesses, institutions, and civic and volunteer organizations to achieve these goals.

Sustainability and environmental stewardship have been a priority in Wellesley for decades. From the development of the Natural Resources Commission in the 70s, and the creation of the world-class Recycling and Disposal Facility, to the strong carbon reduction goals set in 2008 and plastic bag ban in 2018. 

VOLUNTEERING
MAKES YOU FEEL

​GRATEFUL
CONNECTED
FULFILLED 
HAPPY
INSPIRED