Presentation at Massachusetts Green Careers Conference 2015

1. 2015 MASSACHUSETTS GREEN
CAREER CONFERENCE
MARLBOROUGH, MA
OCTOBER 1, 2015
Town of Dedham
Environmental Department

2. Overview
 Background and Career Path
 Overview of Municipal Sustainability Field
 Networks
 Sustainability in Dedham

3. Municipal Sustainability Field
 Sustainability Coordinators a growing career option
 Titles and job descriptions vary
 More common in bigger cities vs. Towns
 Budgets and staff size vary based on population

4. Current Trends and Strategies
Goal: reduce vulnerability to impacts of climate change

5. Initiatives

6. Sustainability
 2009 Leading by Example Award recipient
 Awarded $500,000 for solar installation
 Awarded $150,000 through the Energy Efficiency
Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program
 Designated in 2010 a Green Community by DOER
 EV Charging Station installed in Dedham Sq.

7. Recycling
 Implemented in November 2009, Single Stream Recycling &
Automated Trash Collection
 Awarded in 2010 the Mass Recycles Small Municipal
Recycling Award
 Bi-Annual Community Recycling Event
 Public Space Recycling
 School Recycling & Compost

8. Dedham Trails
 Dedham Water Trail
 Awarded $35,251 in funding from the Department of
Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Recreational Trails grant
program to create the Dedham Water Trail.
 First Water Trail in MA
 2014 received National
Recreation Trail Designation

9. Dedham Trails
 Dedham Trails
 Created in 2014 connector trail that links the Dolan Recreation
Center with Whitcomb Woods, NewBridge on the Charles and
Wilson Mountain trail network
 Dedham Trails Day and 5K Trail Run

10. Green City Growers
 Partnership with Green City Grower’s horticultural professionals
 Participants learn when to plant, how to maintain, fertilize and harvest
crops
 Program inspired other raised beds throughout Town

11. Mill Pond Park
 Restored abandoned parcel of land into public park
 Removed invasive species
 Created access to Mother Brook

12. Transportation Improvements
 Created the Dedham/Westwood Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
 Dedham Heritage Rail Trail – 1.5 miles from Dedham Sq to Boston
 Over 60+ trails in Massachusetts
 Opportunity for public art, commuter access to Boston, safe routes to
schools, recreation and health benefits
Before After Whole Foods Cleanup Graffiti

13. Thank You!
Virginia LeClair
Environmental Coordinator
vleclair@dedham-ma.gov
781-751-9210
www.dedham-ma.gov/environment
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& Dedham Trails