Conservation
Dedicated to implementing sustainable solutions for our town, with a focus on recycling, waste elimination, composting and responsible use of our resources. Together with the other Sustainable Marblehead working groups, we work toward making our beautiful community better.
Beach Cleaning
Volunteers meet weekly at Devereux and other beaches, weather permitting. For information, send us an email.
Or grab a bucket and pair of gloves and go on your own. To participate in a global effort to track and remove waste, download the Clean Swell App from Ocean Conservancy.
Click here for a picture of an astounding amount of trash a volunteer recently collected at Devereux.
Reducing Waste
It takes hundreds of years for plastics to degrade, and research shows most commonly used plastics never fully go away but rather break down into smaller and smaller pieces. These microplastics have been found in wildlife, in our oceans, and in all the remote corners of the planet. Ideas to reduce single use plastics can be found here.
Replace single-use plastic with reusable water bottles and fill them at Marblehead’s new hydration stations at Chandler Hovey Park, Devereux Beach, Seaside Park and Gatchell Playground. Be Green, Drink from the Sink.
Pollinator Action Plan
Native plants used by pollinators are easier on the environment and need less maintenance. NE plants list and NE flowers spreadsheet.
Choose a variety of plants that bloom April to October. Cut plants back, leaving stems at least 12 in. tall for native bees to lay eggs.
The two at-risk bumble bee species in our area are Bombus fervidus and Bombus vagans. More here
It’s important to use pesticide-free plants as described here.
NE Plant Sources and Local Landscape Architects and Garden Designers
pollinators@sustainablemarblehead.org for more information
Composting
Composting reduces methane from landfills, saves resources, and returns nutrients to the soil. Sign up for weekly curbside collection for $99/ year plus the cost of a bin at Black Earth and receive a free bag of compost in the spring. Food scraps can also be taken to Black Earth's bins at the Transfer Station. Read the Marblehead Reporter article on addressing global warming here in town.
Recycling
Most recycling questions can be answered at Recycle Smart MA, which includes a searchable 'recyclopedia.'
Information about the town's recycling program can also be found on this fact sheet.
Watch the video from our recent webinar, Compost, Recycle, Trash?
Here's an idea for recycling clean plastic bags and 16 oz bottles: ecobricks! View the fact sheet here. For a video, click here.
Gardening & Lawn Care
Tips for the garden:
Plant trees, which absorb carbon from the air.
Shrink your lawn or use organic lawn care practices. Some ideas for natural care are on this fact sheet.
Replace the lawn with a tree with well planted beds since many caterpillars drop to the ground to pupate.
Return plant pots to local garden centers to be reused as they cannot be recycled.
See the Pollinator Action Plan tile for information on native plants and for support of at-risk pollinators.
Recent Accomplishments
Engaged local merchants about how to improve recycling and reduce waste, especially single use plastics.
Organized and delivered a well-attended talk on organic lawncare and permaculture.
Ongoing weekly cleanings of Devereux Beach to reduce plastic and other debris from going into our oceans.
Working with Ecobricks.org to create waste based building products.
Provide up to date information about recyclng and composting via Zoom.
Toured water fountains in Concord MA and learned about the town's water bottle ban.
Developed a plan with Rec & Park to install new water filling stations and repair existing fountains.
Promoted sustainble practices in articles in the Marblehead Reporter.
Coordinated with Marblehead Health Department Recycling Committee in promoting latest information on "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," through recyclesmartma.org and recyclopedia websites.
Organized four well-attended webinars on pesticides, biodiversity, organic lawncare and permaculture. Click here for videos.
Join Us
Meet time:
Leader(s):
E-mail:
First Monday of most months, 6-7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Evans Slepian