Clean, Green, and Lean We admit it. We’re obsessed with reducing our use of fossil fuels. And this year, we did some heavy lifting toward that goal. Thanks to grants and your support, you will find clean energy hard at work at 20 of our staffed properties through solar hot water and/or photovoltaic solar energy systems. It’s part of our commitment to lead by example in reducing our own carbon footprint. And it frees up money to spend on other priorities, such as enhancing visitor experiences. For example, have you noticed Clean and Green signs at our nature centers? These interpretive labels are designed to demonstrate and educate on the many different ways we are going green and how you can too. Also when visiting the Boston Nature Center, Drumlin Farm, Joppa Flats, or Wellfleet Bay, ask for a Green Trail map and take a tour of the sustainable features of the buildings and grounds. See for yourself how we’re going green by recycling, composting, using native plants, conserving water, and reducing energy use. You might be surprised to find out how easy it is to live sustainably. And once you do, pass the tips along. After all, it’s important to live lighter on the earth and encourage others to do so too.
Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Interest in creating solutions for climate change brought Reed Schuler and Rachel Katz to Mass Audubon, through fellowships with the New Sector Alliance. The Boston organization pairs young adults with nonprofits working on sustainable solutions to pressing community challenges. Reed spent 11 months analyzing our organizational carbon footprint to determine how we could achieve a 50 percent reduction by 2014 (currently reduced by 45 percent since 2003). He also built a database to accurately track our efforts. “Working at Mass Audubon was an incredible opportunity early in my career, and my colleagues encouraged me to get deeply involved in the organization’s strategic re-orientation to meet the challenge of climate change,” says Reed. “Mass Audubon is a real leader on climate change issues in Massachusetts and that made it an exciting place to work.” This fall, Reed began studying environmental law at Yale Law School. Rachel spent last summer at Mass Audubon creating a climate change education guide and an online database of related resources, along with identifying potential partnerships. “My experience at Mass Audubon helped me to understand how environmental progress is made at a fundamental level,” notes Rachel. “I came to believe that offering environmental education opportunities to people of all ages is essential to effect widespread change.” A recent graduate of Brown University, Rachel is currently in China working to reduce the trucking industry’s impact on air quality. Working with such talented young people gives us hope for the future of our planet.
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