Somerville's 1st Annual SustainaVille Week Guide

SOMERVILLE, MA – Somerville will hold its first-ever SustainaVille week this year to coincide with Earth Day. The initiative includes seven days of outdoor activities, sustainability events and learning opportunities. Events kick off on Saturday, April 22 and run through Friday, April 28.

"SustainaVille is a very serious effort to reduce our carbon output and develop our city’s ability to weather climate impacts, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun as we learn about sustainability and how we each can help," Mayor Joseph Curtatone said in a statement. "SustainaVille Week is designed to make it easy for you to get involved because if we want to reach our goal to become carbon neutral by 2050, we need as many residents as possible to join the effort. We’re even making sure our littlest environmentalists get a jump start with our special environmental story times for preschoolers at the library."

Check out the schedule of events below, via City of Somerville:

Saturday, April 22

Mayor’s Spring Clean Up

Breakfast at 9am @ Blessings of the Bay Boathouse

Clean up from 10am – 12pm @ various locations throughout the city BBQ from 12-2pm @ Blessings of the Bay Boathouse

Come celebrate Earth Day with the City of Somerville, Groundwork Somerville, and Comcast Cares for the annual Spring Cleanup and Community Barbecue. Residents are invited to join ward captains and city officials in each of the city's seven wards to plant flowers, weed open spaces, and clean our open spaces. Refreshments, t-shirts, and hats will be provided to all participants from 10 a.m. to noon at the clean-up locations, and all participants will be rewarded for their efforts at a community barbecue from noon to 2 p.m. at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse on Shore Drive. Find out about clean up locations and sign up here.

Sunday, April 23

Tiny Great Outdoors Festival—Celebrating Arbor Day

12-2pm @ Quincy Street Open Space

Join a celebration of urban wildlife and the return of spring in Somerville’s smallest "urban wild." There will be science talks, tree planting, and activities to celebrate Arbor Day and the tiny great outdoors in Somerville.

Monday, April 24

Getting to Net Zero: Carbon Neutrality Pathways Presentation

7-8pm @ Somerville Public Library – Central Branch Auditorium

In 2014, Mayor Curtatone set an ambitious goal for Somerville to become carbon neutral by 2050 to reduce the city’s contribution to climate change. Come learn about this goal and what it would take to achieve net zero carbon emissions across Somerville. Staff from the Office of Sustainability and Environment will present on a recent report that analyzes technology and policy options that could reduce Somerville’s greenhouse gas emissions and move the city to carbon neutrality. During the presentation we will answer questions such as “What does ‘carbon neutral’ actually mean?” “How important is solar power in meeting our goal?” and “What targets do we have to meet before 2050?” There will be ample time for questions about the analysis as well as information on how you can reduce your own carbon emissions.

Tuesday, April 25

Environmental Preschool Story Time

11-11:45am @ Somerville Public Library – West Branch

This week’s story time will feature stories with environmental themes and city staff will be present to speak with parents about residential energy efficiency programs.

Wednesday, April 26

Environmental Preschool Story Time

11-11:30am@ Somerville Public Library – East Branch

This week’s story time will feature stories with environmental themes and city staff will be present to speak with parents about residential energy efficiency programs.

Thursday, April 27

World Climate Simulation

6-8pm @ Tufts Administration Building

Think you have what it takes to negotiate a successful international climate agreement? Join other members of the Somerville community for an interactive group negotiation that simulates the UN climate talks. This will be a fun and interactive event to learn about climate change at both the global scale and in Somerville. Everyone is welcome! Whether you are a climate scientist or you are brand new to learning about climate change, there will be plenty to learn and lots of fun to be had.

Friday, April 28

Environmental Preschool Story Time

10:30-11am @ Somerville Public Library – Central Branch

This week’s story time will feature stories with environmental themes and city staff will be present to speak with parents about residential energy efficiency programs.

Teen Empowerment Film Screening

2:30-4:30pm @ Somerville Public Library – Central Branch Auditorium

Teen Empowerment Library Leaders are hosting a screening and discussion of The Lorax for Somerville teens. Snacks and raffle prizes will be provided.

City of Somerville Walk/ Ride Day

City employees will kick off this year’s Walk/Ride Day Challenge by switching to healthier and more sustainable commutes. Join in by pledging to walk, bike, or ride the T to work or school!

All Week

Somerville Public Libraries

The Somerville Public Libraries will have environmental books and information on display all week. Check out a book and learn something new.

SustainaVille Week also marks the relaunch of the SustainaVille website, which includes resources, reports and information on the city's efforts to address climate change and ways to get involved.

Image via Pixabay