Arlington’s EcoWeek 2022 Launches April 22

ARLINGTON, MA — Arlington’s EcoWeek, a week-long series of programs and events that offer an opportunity for community members to learn about topics of environmental justice, will be held from April 22 to May 10.

Previously held as EcoFest, a one day event held at Arlington’s Town Hall, since 2019 this event has grown into a week of education including opportunities to learn about renewable electricity, local plants and wildlife, methods to reduce, reuse and recycle everyday items, and the impact of public art on our overall environment.

“Arlington is an engaged community where environmental issues are a central concern. EcoWeek showcases the important work that Arlington residents do, from encouraging biodiversity to planning for climate change,” said David Morgan, the Environmental Planner and Conservation Agent in Arlington’s Department of Planning and Community Development, in a statement. "The Town of Arlington has been an environmental leader in our region. Initiatives like EcoWeek demonstrate how Arlington works toward a future where all living beings—and the ecosystems we depend on—thrive."

Throughout EcoWeek, community and student groups and Town of Arlington departments will offer presentations, tours, and interactive events to inspire connection to and celebration of the natural world and highlight the importance of what we do at home and as a greater community to learn, act and prepare for weather, public health, and economic change that we will face as our climate changes.

Community members are invited to participate in the many events being held, include litter cleanups, document shredding, bicycle donations, clothing swaps and much more.

Week-long events will include the following:

• Opportunities to Opt Up to 100% Renewable Electricity
• BioBlitz! BioBlitz focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. At a BioBlitz, scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to get a snapshot of an area’s biodiversity. Help locate and map local plants and wildlife- be a citizen Scientist with City Nature Challenge and iNaturalist.
• Recycle Your Textiles- worn and torn, donate them all!
• Public Art and Our Environment

“Arlington’s youth will play a key role in EcoWeek events, leading climate change and climate justice workshops, organizing bake sales to promote local sustainability initiatives, and creating media and public art to raise awareness about the importance of native plants and pollinators,”Arlington School Sustainability Coordinator Rachel Oliveri in a statement. “Arlington EcoWeek is important to the town because we are a community who cares deeply about reducing our environmental impact and protecting our local green spaces, waterways, and wildlife.”

For full listing of the many EcoWeek events, click here or contact Charlotte Milan via email at cmilan@town.arlington.ma.us.