The Greenwich Sustainability Committee is looking
beyond municipal boundaries as it develops priorities for the coming year, with a renewed focus on regional collaboration, practical solutions and measurable progress on sustainability.
At a recent summer retreat, Committee members identified a common theme across many of Greenwich’s environmental challenges: renewable energy, waste reduction, water quality, invasive species and climate resilience do not stop at town lines.
The Committee sees an opportunity for Greenwich to serve as a catalyst for sustainability throughout the region by strengthening relationships with neighboring municipalities, Fairfield and Westchester County communities, and the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG). Such partnerships can allow communities to share successful approaches, learn from one another and develop a stronger collective voice when pursuing state policies and grant opportunities.
“Many of the challenges we are working on in Greenwich are challenges that communities throughout the region are facing,” said Janet Stone McGuigan, Committee Co-Chair. “We have an opportunity not only to learn from what others are doing, but to share the work Greenwich has already undertaken and build momentum together.”
The retreat identified several priority areas for continued work: Renewable Energy. The Committee is focused on expanding renewable energy installations on municipal facilities and advancing practical strategies for future projects.
A direct result of the retreat is an October 8 panel discussion, “How Other Towns are Saving Money on Renewables” organized by the Town’s Conservation Department.
Click here to register and learn more.
Waste Reduction. Committee members discussed growing concerns about the limitations of single stream recycling, hard-to-recycle materials and the need for additional opportunities to reuse materials, including a potential swap shed.
As Greenwich considers the future of the Holly Hill Resource Recovery Facility and its waste stream, the Committee will explore how other municipalities are addressing these challenges and what approaches might be adapted locally.
Water Quality. Water quality remains one of Greenwich’s defining environmental concerns,
encompassing drinking water, PFAS, microplastics, beach water quality, watershed health, stormwater runoff and responsible irrigation.
The Committee plans to continue highlighting these issues through public education and its newsletter while seeking opportunities to advance nature-based solutions and coordinate, where appropriate, with the Town’s Health and Conservation Departments.
NIX Problem Plants Campaign. The Committee’s NIX Problem Plants campaign has generated significant community interest and demonstrated the potential of a locally developed model.
The Committee will explore sharing its educational materials, experiences and lessons with neighboring communities and developing partnerships around invasive and introduced plant management. Members also reiterated interest in expanding the use of native plants in municipal landscapes, including traffic islands.
Arch Street. The long-term redevelopment of the Roger Sherman Baldwin Park/Arch Street area represents an important opportunity to incorporate ecological restoration, habitat enhancement and climate adaptation into future planning.
The Committee plans to participate in upcoming public discussions, with particular attention to how the Center can provide a bridge between municipal and civic assets.
Communication and Public Engagement. The Committee identified communication as an ongoing challenge, noting that much of its work remains invisible to the broader community.
Among the ideas under consideration are coordinated messaging among partner organizations, public service announcements through local television and radio, and a community calendar of
sustainability events.
To help bring these initiatives to life, we are actively seeking a volunteer Social Media Coordinator to amplify our impact, tell our story, and connect directly with residents online. If you are passionate about sustainability and skilled at crafting engaging digital content, we want you on our team. Email: [email protected]
“Ultimately, the goal is to translate ideas into municipal-scale action,” said Myra Klockenbrink in a release. “Regional collaboration can expand what is possible, but the work still begins with practical
steps right here in Greenwich.”
The committee welcomes all community members to bring their ideas and energy to our monthly meetings, generally held on the first Thursday of the month at 11:00 am by Zoom and in person in the Town Hall Meeting Room when available.
Details can be found under Events on the Committee
webpage . Questions can be directed to [email protected] .
The Greenwich Sustainability Committee was established to promote sustainability across municipal operations and throughout the Greenwich community. Its work encompasses land and water, climate resilience, waste reduction, transportation and air quality, food systems, business, legislation and advocacy, and community culture.