By Ken Philips
GreeningRozzie was created in February 2010 by a group of residents who believe that Roslindale is a perfect community to pioneer innovative and involving community activities to improve our environment, reduce our impact on global warming, and ensure a greener world for our children and grandchildren. In just a year, it has conducted 20 events and attracted hundreds of interested people.
Vision for the community
Our vision for Roslindale is a community with shade trees on every street, compost bins and gardens in every yard, balcony or even sunny window, and rapidly growing consumption of nutritious local foods at home, in restaurants and in schools. We see a community where residents are making their homes, their lives and their community greener, more sustainable and less expensive.
We want to help people to save money through more energy-efficient houses, apartments and businesses and to improve their family’s health (which also saves money) through better food and nutrition, more walking and biking, and healthy habits and reduction of toxins. We want to find ways to reduce waste and pollution in homes, restaurants, businesses, in transportation, and in everyone’s daily lives. We want to involve children and youth, parents and seniors, schools and churches, and businesses and organizations.
We see a community where residents are advocating for greener practices by local restaurants and businesses and holding our elected leaders accountable.
It is mostly by doing little things, as well as some big things to be sure, that we will make Roslindale and our lives better – by buying and preparing locally grown food; growing more of our own food; having more trees for summer cooling and winter warming as well as beautification; reducing energy use in homes and transportation; composting, recycling and using less water to reduce waste and pollution; shopping locally, driving less and walking, biking and even ride-sharing more; and having healthy and hazard free homes. All of these activities make a greener Roslindale and will also save money.
We will also help create a more vibrant, sharing and caring community simply by doing things together for our common benefit. And through community action we will do our part to achieve a healthy planet for our children and their children.
History – How we got started
Founded just 12 months ago, GreeningRozzie has already accomplished a lot toward its mission of making Roslindale a greener, cleaner and more cohesive community by working together to promote and implement grassroots projects and activities.
In its first year, GreeningRozzie held 12 community meetings, organized and staffed information tents at 12 Farmers Markets in Adams Park, and presented demonstrations and talks on topics including solar power, canning, chickens, composting, fitness for kids, cosmetics, toxic exposures, and home energy savings. In December, GreeningRozzie and the Roslindale Congregational Church presented Roslindale’s first annual Green Film Festival featuring Fern Gully.
Due in part to the efforts of GreeningRozzie, Roslindale ranks #1 in signups for Renew Boston’s energy audits and upgrades. The group is fueled by volunteers with a passion for improving our local environment. It was featured in the Roslindale Public Library windows during August on the theme of “Go Green.” GreeningRozzie and RozzieBikes marched in the 35th annual Roslindale Day Parade in October.
In December, members elected the Board of Directors including myself, Kim Patch (vice chairman), Pam Sinotte (treasurer), Janet Levatin (assistant secretary), Amy Galblum (secretary), Liz Carver, Karen Kirchoff, Eric Lewandowski, Eric Smalley, and Sam Warren. GreeningRozzie, Inc. has been incorporated as a Massachusetts organization and has applied for federal nonprofit status.
Activities – What we want to do in 2011
At its next community meeting, the group will decide its overall goals. One proposal is to help achieve a 25% reduction in Roslindale’s carbon emissions from 1990 levels by 2020 (based on the target set by the governor and recommendation of the Climate Action Leadership Committee).
New members and volunteers are warmly welcomed to help GreeningRozzie with projects in the following areas, all of which will contribute to the overall goal:
Green Spaces: Caring for new street trees; comprehensive tree census and planting; community gardens; empty tree pit inventory and plan; and a guide for street and yard tree planning, planting, maintenance, and protection
Local Food: Potluck parties; bulk purchasing of organic supplies; and exploration of a winter farmers market
Energy Efficiency: Assessing energy loss pilot; energy audit promotions; and neighborhood energy demonstration and education gatherings
Waste Reduction: Community, citywide and home composting; tecycling improvements; and plastic and paper bag advocacy and education
Water Conservation: Green roofs and environmentally safe lawns
Efficient Transportation: Sustainable transportation; Rozzie Square traffic improvements; and bike and walking tours
Healthy Homes and Gardens: Green products; urban gardening; common security clubs; and a bartering and tool exchange
Education and Advocacy: education and demonstrations at the Farmers Markets June to October; greening business; window exhibits; Roslindale Day Parade; social media, and PR and outreach.
How to get involved
Join GreeningRozzie at www.GreeningRozzie.org.
Come to GreeningRozzie’s next monthly community meeting, Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Roslindale Community Center, for one action topic and planning activities
April 20 – Short talks on keeping chickens and bees and pushing projects forward
May 18 – Short talks on composting at home and pushing projects forward
Support GreeningRozzie’s information tent at the Farmers Market most Saturdays, June through October.
Volunteer for an activity or suggest a new one. Email ken@greeningrozzie.com
This article first appeared in the Roslindale Transcript.
