The City of Newton’s Sustainability team is looking for Community Liaisons to help build Newton’s resilience to climate change, including extreme heat, flooding, and severe storms. In this role, people who live in and/or are well connected to Newton will help lead conversations on community needs, support outreach to their…
Posts published in “Environment”
In a July 22 meeting of the City Council’s Public Facilities Committee, Councilors discussed the future of the City’s long-standing “two-foot” rule for gas pipe replacement — a minor technicality that some argue could have major implications for the future of climate planning in Newton. Before beginning construction or maintenance work…
I’m trying to be open-minded about the City’s Gas-light replacement proposal. However, your article exposes an unusual and incomplete process that has resulted in a dubious and very flawed proposal. If you compare the proposed LED fixtures to our existing original historic fixtures, you will see that the proposed fixture type is entirely different from our…
Can consumers recycle their way out of the plastic pollution crisis, or to meet climate goals, must they simply use less plastic in the first place? That question was at the center of a lively discussion at the Newton Free Library on Monday, July 13. Seattle-based recycling company Ridwell introduced…
In the last six years, honey bees have become an unlikely source of debate in Newton. During the COVID-19 lockdown, many residents took up backyard beekeeping to entertain themselves, and found the hobby to be educational and fulfilling. However, others worry about the increase in honey bee hives having negative…
The Amur cork tree is a native of Eastern Asia and was originally planted as an ornamental. Now considered invasive, it has spread into natural areas across the Northeast and is expanding rapidly in Cold Spring Park’s wetland red maple forest. According to Dr. Jonathan Regosin, former Deputy Director of…
When Green Newton board co-chair Brian Hodgson launched the Green Newton Exchange podcast in February 2025, he wasn’t trying to create another environmental news source. Instead, he wanted to make conversations about climate action more accessible and introduce residents to the people and organizations working to make Newton more sustainable.…
The Newtonville Historic District Commission’s review of a proposal to replace four gas-powered street lamps on Prescott Street with solar-powered LED fixtures was postponed last week due to lack of a quorum. This may delay a decision that could shape the future of Newton’s remaining 77 historic gas-powered street lamps.…
Are there empty spaces on the berms in your neighborhood where street trees formerly provided shade and beauty? Would you like to work with your neighbors and the Newton Tree Conservancy to plant new trees? The Newton Tree Conservancy is now accepting applications until Sunday, July 5 for its Fall…
Silent Spring is excited to offer the Silent Spring Summer Institute from Monday, July 6 through Friday, July10. This free virtual program is designed for high school students interested in learning about environmental health or considering a degree or career in STEM. The deadline to register is Friday, June 5.…
Newton Free Library (330 Homer Street, Newton Centre) invites you to Could Bugging Be the New Birding? Tiny Creatures, Big Discoveries on Tuesday, July 7 at 7PM. If you garden with native plants, your yard is already hosting a vibrant, miniature safari through bug-land. Finding and observing these small, colorful…
The Cooper Center (345 Walnut St, Newtonville) hosts Gorgeous Gardens of New England Part 2 on Tuesday, July 7 from 10:30AM – 11:30AM. Joanne Pearson returns for a second virtual tour, this time featuring 11 beautiful gardens, six of which were heavily influenced by their owners’ or designers’ travels to…