GREEN ASHLAND INITIATIVE ALLIANCE: OVERVIEW AND FUTURE PLANNING

Welcome

Welcome to the Green Ashland Initiative Alliance web page. The abbreviation for this group is GAIA named after the Greek goddess of mother nature. We hope the information provided in the following sections will be beneficial to you as a resident or interested party.

The purpose of GAIA is to create an organizational framework of citizens, local government officials, businesses, and others to coordinate activities and events to improve the local economy and promote a green environment. With recent Federal and State Government initiatives in energy and climatic change policies, a local coordinated effort of civic minded individuals is critical to keep these items from being relegated to the back burner and inactivity at this key organizational level. The current economic times and world events are ripe for making this necessary for the betterment of the greater Ashland community.

Overview of the Ashland Green Initiative Alliance

On March 11, 2009, the Green Ashland Initiative Alliance (GAIA) had its first organizational meeting at the Ashland Community Center. Town Planner Stephen Kerlin opened up the meeting with a power-point presentation on the subject of “Suburban Sustainability and Survival.” Mr. Kerlin discussed a number of items including President Obama’s Inaugural Address, the relationship of city and country and the suburban middle ground, simpler historic times, the relationship of survival and sustainability, suggestions on establishing sustainable practices, green home building and remodeling, and other sound practices to conserve natural resources and promote energy efficiency.

This was followed by a brief get acquainted session among the attendees. Each individual had the opportunity to identify themselves and express their community desires and interests. As a result of this session, a number of discussion groups were formed on the subjects of: a) Sustainability; b) Agriculture/Water Consumption/Community Gardens; c) Educational Training/Library Resources; d) Energy Efficient Building Construction and Remodeling/HVAC. After several minutes of discussion among the members of the different groups, a representative from each group reported on their respective comments for the entire attendees at the meeting. These talking points are posted on this web site. A follow-up questionnaire was devised by Mr. Selby to help assist in the feedback from this meeting. These results are also posted on this web site.

Preliminary Education Task Force Initial Comments
The preliminary education task force had a broad based approach to education for green growth. In the verbal report to the March 11, 2009 attendees, their discussion reporter outlined their discussion points as follows: a) what?; b) How?; c)Who?; d) Where? E) What is next?

Under “what”, sustainability was a key issue with regards to resources, cost savings, construction, hazardous material (toxic use) including dry cleaning and detergents, where to find resources, and empowerment.

Under “how”, this includes poster contents, workshops, web pages, school programs, fairs (Ashland Day),use of senior knowledge and experience, documentary series, forums, chat rooms.  Under “who”, this includes collaboratives, newspapers, consumers/town people, contractors/business owners, and children. Under “where”, school at all levels including children and teachers, ccrhs, sustainable fair, community education, contests, promotion/campaigns. A fifth category of “What is next”, will be discussed at a later date

Preliminary Green Building and Energy Efficiency Task Force Initial Comments
This group mentioned the need for education as the low hanging fruit. Next, the group mentioned the constant evolving technology changes in this area and the need for new types of motivation. Light bulbs were singled out for change.  Next, the group mentioned the need to incentivize and obtain grants from the State and Federal government. Attitudes need to change. The “Stretch Code” was cited along with promoting Energy Star and its benefits. Other topics included decentralized power sources, our municipality leading by example, lowering the carbon footprint and saving money as win-win for all sides.  The group felt it was extremely important to get out ideas and information out to residents on Earth Day. Finally, mention of energy incentives through the Massachusetts Green Communities Act. Individual comments referenced “Planet Green” and “Story of Stuff”.

Preliminary Agriculture/Community Gardens/Water Consumption/Stormwater Task Force Initial Comments
This environmental group discussed a number of subjects but concentrated on community gardens, the need for a CSA organization, local grown products, a farmer’s market, potential use of the Warren Center land with initial clearing, plowing, associated parking, water, fencing/life, promoting commercial agriculture, and encouraging LID and stormwater regulations.

Preliminary Sustainability Task Force Initial Comments
Written by Cheri Vallone 

Here are my notes from our Sustainability Group discussion: