Sustainable Woodstock looks ahead

For the past three years Sustainable Woodstock has been establishing a meaningful presence in the community steered by the expert and unflagging guidance of co-chairs Denise Lyons and Anne Macksoud. Denise and Anne’s terms of office have come to an end and they have handed over the reins to us, Barbara Barry and Jill Davies.

We’d like to start our term by thanking Anne and Denise for their leadership that brought the organization from a “good idea” to a healthy, active group that is spearheading five community gardens, the Nonprofit Network, recycling at area events, energy projects such as the Town Hall audit, weatherization, the Vermont Business Environmental Partnership, the Property Assessed Clean Energy program( PACE), Economic Development Council and fun projects like the Naked Table and Trek To Taste. Most recently they led Sustainable Woodstock in coordinating the Woodstock Area Relief Fund.

Luckily, as we move forward, we are not alone. We are working with the energy of our vibrant board, including new members Patsy Highberg, Pieter Bohen and Ron Miller. And we have a wonderful group of volunteers. As the work of the Woodstock Area Relief Fund winds down we can turn our attention again to other elements in our vision of “a vibrant, inclusive, thriving community where we live sustainably now and in the future.”

One initiative is to encourage the Woodstock community to divert recyclables from the waste stream, as described in last week's column. Public recycling bins will be in place within a few days. Our second initiative is to take a look at our community climate gas output/carbon footprint and really understand what actions we can do that will have the most impact as individuals, businesses, and community. As this one takes shape we’ll let you know more. 

If you’d like to get involved with these new initiatives or any of our other fun projects, please get in touch with Sustainable Woodstock director Sally Miller at 457-2911 or by email. We would love to hear your ideas/suggestions and have you join us as a volunteer for one event, task force or project!

By Barbara Barry and Jill Davies