Events
The following sustainability-related events are in/near Hopkinton, and sponsored by the SGC or community organizations
The 7th Annual Hebert Candy Mansion EVent will star Cybertruck rides, test drives in many different EV's, great ice cream, chocolate, and candy from Heberts. FREE pizza for drivers. Summons race between ALL versions of Tesla's, now including CYBERTRUCK. Professional speakers will educate the public on the differences between gasoline and electric vehicles and the benefits as well answering questions. Yard games for the kiddos and great conversation with electric vehicle owners !!
RAINDATE IS FOLLOWING WEEK SAME TIME/PLACE....only if it is definitely raining :)
SHOW your EV - register at https://driveelectricweek.org/event?eventid=4373
Celebrate the new pollinator gardens in town
Shaurya and Suhani Patni, high schoolers in town, led a community project in 2024 to plant pollinator gardens at the Hughes property at 192 Hayden Rowe and at the Pratt property between 108 and 126 Fruit St. and a garden at the MetroWest YMCA. These types of gardens are crucial, helping restore native habitats and providing valuable resources for bees, birds, and more. Most importantly, they are intended to convey the need for them and how you can create your own at your home or another facility. Trevor Smith, Weston Nurseries director of design and education, graciously shepherded this project along with help from our committee.
We will hold a celebration to acknowledge the hundreds of hours of work it took volunteers to create and maintain the gardens - the public is invited - stay tuned for details. We also welcome you to come to visit the gardens anytime to learn more.
Through October, here is the sign up sheet for those who are watering plants at Hughes Farm or at the Pratt field.
Spring 2025 - clean up beds - details provided next year, but you can let us know if you're interested: email hopgreenma@gmail.com.
More info ... about the project and what you can do!
Every Sunday, 12 to 4 pm, on the Common
Come get your locally-produced goods including fresh veggies, honey, eggs, wine, flowers, crafts, and more plus live music and food trucks. Make it a weekly habit, through Oct. 13. Details at hopkintonfarmersmarket.com. And there will be a Winter Farmers Market at Weston Nurseries, weekly through March!
Shopping locally means less gas emissions from transporting food - get your berries from a few miles away instead of a few thousand miles away! Many of the vendors follow organic practices. It also means less packaging. Plus, you're buying from your neighbors.
Great way to reuse!
Sponsored by the Lions Club, this is a wonderful opportunity to get something fixed rather than disposing of it. If you have a skill repairing household items, volunteer to help!
Learn about EVs from owners
This popular annual event allows you to learn the basics at educational booths, then scope out specific makes and models that are shown by their owners. Ask the owners questions about their experiences and some even offer test rides.
EVs made up nearly 1/4 of all new car registrations in Hopkinton last year - they are coming, so start learning now.
See what we're working on
Join us in person or virtually to see what our committee is working on and help us if you can. W currently have openings for a few new committee members - attending a meeting is a great way to find out if joining the group is a good fit for you.
See also current intiatives:
Black Earth curbside composting promotional drive - get a free bin and liners with signup
Latest EV data for Hopkinton shows over 25% of residents who bought a new car the past couple of years chose an EV
From Recent Events
From "Get the Dirt on Composting" at the Library, June 2024
If you couldn't attend, visit the composting page of our website, which includes all the good dirt on composting including slides from the event and more about the current Black Earth curbside composting incentive.
Town Meeting - May 8, 7pm, Middle School
The specialized energy code PASSED by nearly a 2/3 margin.
Learn more about the specialized code at hopspecialized.org
Herbcide treatment for lake weeds - we're not fans
The Sustainble Green Committee advises against using herbicides to treat unwanted plant growth on Lake Maspenock - read the full statement here, including a list of resources to learn more.
Annual Update to the Select Board
Watch the Video on HCAM YouTube (starts ~1hr in)
Eco-Friendly Living in Hopkinton - a talk as part of the Women's Club speaker series by Linda Chuss from the Sustainable Green Committee
Slides are here
Checklists are here:
Save Energy & Money - Mass Save, Heat Pumps, and 0% Loans - Watch the Video
0:00 - Introduction
2:25 - Mass Save with Dan Russo
23:30 - Heat Smart Alliance with Steve Breit (note there is no audio for this segment but the slides are useful)
58:20 - 0% Financing with Estela Singleton from Webster First FCU
This is a way you can increase your impact - affecting not just yourself or your own household but many people at once, who will in turn start following some of the practices in their lives too. Learn more here.
Get the Dirt on Composting event at the Library in June 2024
Many hands pitch in to plant a pollinator garden at the YMCA for Shaurya Patni's Eagle Scout project
Spreading the word about composting, native plants and organic gardening at the Hopkinton Garden Club plant sale in May 2024
Residents responsibly recycled clothing, household items, and dehumidifiers at the May 2024 recycling day
Volunteers from Faith Community Church cleaned up a very trashy spot in town - kudos!
Know Your Vote - the committee answered questions about the Specialized Energy Code in advance of Town Meeting
Residents volunteered to help clean up litter on a cold day in April, before the marathon. Photo by John Cardillo from the Hopkinton Independent.
The Town held a Climate Action Plan Workshop in April, where residents could learn, ask questions, and provide input
Farmers Market July 2023
Recycling Drive June 2023
Garden Club Plant Sale
Repair Cafe - Apr 2023
HCA Sustainability Summit - Nov 2022
Women's Club Climate Change Talk - Oct 2022
Regional EV Expo - Oct 2022
Green Team Junk Removal - Sep 2022
Lion's Club Repair Cafe at Senior Center - Sep 2022
Polyarts - Sep 2022
Hop 101 - May 2022
Mon. Apr. 29, 7 to 8:30pm - eHop - Learn about the specialized code and more
Watch or attend in person at HCAM studos to hear more about or ask about the specialized code and other topics at the eHop know your vote event - details here