Winter Seed Sowing Workshop
2026-01-10 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Saturday, January 10, 11am-12:30pm or 1:30-3pm. Newton Free Library (330 Homer Street, Newton).
This workshop will give you the tools you need to spark your own pollinator garden. Soil, native seeds and one empty one-gallon milk jug will be provided, and you will get to bring home your own mini-greenhouse in a bottle. You are invited to bring an extra one or two empty milk jugs if you want to plant and bring home a variety of seeds.
Winter seed sowing is a technique for starting native plant seeds outdoors in containers during winter to create optimal conditions for germination and growth when spring returns. It mimics the natural process of seeds falling to the ground in autumn and being stratified by New England’s cold and wet winter weather, while providing protection from critters and adverse weather, resulting in a very high germination success rate.
There will be two identical sessions of this workshop. Please sign up for either the morning session (11am-12:30pm) or the afternoon session (1:30-3pm).
Sign Up for Morning Session
Sign Up for Afternoon Session
The program is co-sponsored by the Newton Free Library, Newton Community Pollinator Project (NCPP), Newton Conservators, and Friends of Cold Spring Park.

Green Drinks January 2026
2026-01-13 19:30 - 21:00
Join us January 13th at 7:30pm for Green Drinks at Baramor in Newton Centre.
Want to meet others who care about the environment as much as you do? Head over to Baramor for the last Newton Green Drinks of the year. It’s a fun, casual evening with people who are passionate about building a sustainable Newton – and beyond. Hope to see you there!
If you’d like to be notified about future gatherings, contact organizer Brian Hodgson.

The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves & Our Planet Before It’s Too Late
2026-01-28 19:00 - 20:00
Wednesday, January 28, 7pm. Online.
Plastic production has increased exponentially since single-use plastic’s start, from 2 million tons per year in 1950 to 450 million tons per year today. And production is expected to triple by 2060. Given that less than 6% of plastic is actually recycled in the United States, all that plastic will continue to harm us, our communities, and our environment.
The good news is there’s still time to turn off the tap and live in a world without pointless plastic. That’s the hopeful message at the heart of the new book, The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late (December 2, 2025, The New Press). Join co-authors Judith Enck, Melissa Valliant, and Adam Mahoney to learn more about the plastic pollution crisis and the solutions outlined in this bold new book.
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Growing Climate Resilience: Charles River Regional Tree Planting and Protection Plan
2026-02-09 19:00 - 20:00
Monday, February 9, 7pm. Online.
Trees are a climate solution: they mitigate flooding, provide clean air, and cool our neighborhoods. Yet the Charles River watershed is losing tree canopy at an alarming rate (an average of 6.9% per community across the watershed from 2008 to 2021).
Join the Charles River Watershed Association webinar to learn about CRWA’s 2025 Regional Tree Planting & Protection Plan for the Charles River watershed, highlighting the recommendations for communities to protect, maintain, and grow our tree canopy.
REGISTER
Questions? Contact Arrianna Proia, aproia@crwa.org.

Learn if a Used EV is Right for You
2026-02-11 12:00 - 13:00
Used EVs provide all the benefits of driving on electricity – lower maintenance costs, lower fuel costs, and better driving experience – at a more affordable upfront price. Every year, there are more and more used EVs and more varied models. Plus, there are incentives available for the purchase of a used electric car in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Join Green Energy Consumers Alliance for this hour-long webinar to learn more about shopping for used EVs.
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Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape
2026-02-11 19:00 - 20:30
The way we currently manage our suburban and urban landscapes is creating an ecological wasteland. Fortunately, we have an alternative path: by working ​​with natural systems instead of against them, we have the power to help Earth heal.
Speaker Basil Came will begin by discussing the functions of natural systems and how they’re being damaged by standard land care practices. Then he will delve into impactful ways we can take action, from planting saplings and saving mature trees, to creating pocket forests and replacing our lawns with Piedmont prairies. Finally, for those who want to help shift paradigms even more, Basil will introduce us to his initiative Project Pando, which provides a model for community-based efforts that gather native seeds, raise them into trees, and give them away for free.
The event is sponsored by Grow Native Massachusetts.
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Solar Without Federal Incentives: Why It Still Works
2026-02-18 19:00 - 20:00
Thinking about solar but not sure where to start? Learn how solar works, typical paybacks, financing options, and how it can help lower energy costs while supporting a cleaner, healthier community! Speaking will be representatives from Boston Solar, a long time local installer, and Wayland residents who have solar systems. Over 420 Wayland residents have installed solar systems – saving money and supporting a clean energy economy.
This event is sponsored by Energize Wayland.
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Discussion of the Massachusetts 100-Home Embodied Carbon Study
2026-02-19 09:00 - 10:00
The recently released Massachusetts 100-Home Embodied Carbon Study is an analysis of the actual carbon impact, both embodied and operational, from a range of recent residential new construction. Join the Massachusetts Climate Action Network as Chris Magwood and Mélanie Trottier discuss the study’s results and advocacy implications, including a proposal to integrate embodied-carbon into energy assessments currently conducted by HERS® Raters. The study was produced through a collaboration between the Northeast Home Energy Rating System Alliance, Stephens & Company, Ekotrope, Builders for Climate Action, and NMR Group.
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Efficient Water Heating for Newton Homes
2026-02-19 18:00 - 19:00
Water heating is one of the largest sources of energy use in homes—and a key opportunity for you to improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. If you are considering a water heater upgrade or replacement, or just looking to be ready when it’s time to make this change, understanding today’s options can help you lower energy bills, improve comfort, and support a cleaner energy future.
This free, online evening information session is designed for Newton homeowners who want clear, practical guidance on efficient and low-carbon water heating solutions, without sales pressure or technical jargon.
The session will cover:

Heat pump water heaters and how they can significantly reduce energy use and emissions
Solar water heating and hybrid heat pump–solar systems for homes interested in renewable options
Tankless (on-demand) water heaters and when they may be a good fit
A real-world case study showing how a homeowner evaluated options and made a decision

The focus will be on what matters most to residents—how these systems work in everyday life, space and installation considerations, efficiency, and long-term value—so you can make informed choices for your home and be prepared.
This event is hosted by Green Newton, the City of Newton Climate & Sustainability Team with local guest experts from Reservoir Home, New England Solar Hot Water, and Boston Tank Swap.
Please join us on Zoom for an evening conversation, with plenty of time for your questions and discussion. Click the link below to sign up for the Zoom link.
Get the Zoom link

What’s in Your Energy Bill & What Can the State Do?
2026-02-22 17:00 - 18:00
Energy affordability is a key issue right now: bills are sky rocketing, and the Massachusetts State Legislature wants to do something to respond to concerned residents. But what is best for ordinary voters?
Come find out what’s actually in your energy bill and learn about energy-affordability bills at the statehouse, so you can talk effectively with your legislators about the best energy affordability measures for us all. There will be time for Q&A.
Speakers:

Jamie Van Nostrand, Future of Heat Initiative – What’s in Your Bill?
Carrie Katan, Green Energy Consumers Alliance – What Does Mass Saves Do?
Vick Mohanka Sierra Club Massachusetts – What Is the State Legislature Considering?

Learn more on the Newton Democratic City Committee website.
Questions? Contact Melissa Brown, Environmental Committee Co-Chair. This event is a webinar in the “What Voters Should Know This Election Year” Series
by the Environmental Committee of the Newton Democratic City Committee.
Register

All Welcome at the UU Plant-Based Eating Club Potluck
2026-02-22 18:00 - 20:00 | First Unitarian Universalist Society, 1326 Washington Street, West Newton, MA
The UU Plant-Based Eating Club is hosting a large potluck, and those curious about Plant-Based eating, or want to have a great plant-based meal and chat with other people at the potluck, are welcome to attend. Learn more here.
While the UU Plant-Based Eating Club intentionally welcomes newcomers and anyone who is interested in eating more plant-based food regardless of where they are on their journey, all items brought to their potlucks must be completely plant-based and contain no cheese, dairy, eggs, etc. Recipe suggestions are available. More information about the Plant-Based Eating Club is available here.
About the UU Plant-Based Eating Club:
The UU Plant-Based Eating Club is composed of over 160 people who share a desire to reduce their reliance on animal products in their diets and enjoy eating healthy, whole, and nutritious food. While we are housed at First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton (FUUSN), we welcome anyone who is UU or aligned with UU shared values and who desires to learn about and eat nutritious and delicious plant-based, whole food meals. You do not need to follow a plant-based diet to join, although only plant-based food is served at our events. The potluck dinners are a great way to get to know people, pick up some terrific recipes, and explore how plant-based cooking benefits the environment, our health, and the animals with whom we share this beautiful planet. More information is at our page on the FUUSN website.
About FUUSN:
First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton (FUUSN) is a Newton congregation with liberal and progressive theologies. Founded in 1848, for over 175 years, FUUSN has nurtured the spiritualities of its members and served the greater Newton community. Sunday services are held each week at 10:15 in person and on zoom.

Managing Invasive Plants in Your Yard
2026-02-24 19:00 - 20:30
Learn about our most common invasive plants and how to manage them by prioritizing your goals in this free webinar. Private landowners are essential to help us combat invasive plants and promote a healthy landscape.
This event is sponsored by Massachusetts Pollinator Network.
Register

How to Save Money on an Electric Car in Massachusetts
2026-02-26 12:00 - 13:00
Massachusetts has had a rebate for electric cars since 2014, called MOR-EV. During this webinar, we’ll go over the rebate in depth.
We’ll talk about:

the rebate for new and used cars,
the larger rebate for income-qualified residents,
the rebate for trucks, and
how to access the rebate at the dealership or at home after purchase.

This event is sponsored by Green Energy Consumers Alliance.
Register

Help Make Newton Schools Sustainable - Join Green Schools Connections
2026-03-02 16:00 - 17:00 | https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85891005338?pwd=[REDACTED]
Green Newton is forming a Green Schools Connections group. Please join an eager group of parents, educators and students as we brainstorm and collaborate on ways to make our schools more sustainable. There will be opportunities to collaborate on big picture items and district wide systems, along with chances to roll up your sleeves and get to re-using, reducing and recycling. All with an interest in making our schools more sustainable are welcome to attend.
Register

Reducing Food Waste in Schools
2026-03-05 11:00 - 12:00
1/5 of waste generated in Massachusetts is food waste. Learn how schools are taking the lead to divert food waste in their cafeterias and kitchens. We’ll hear from:

Rachel Oliveri, Sustainability Director at Arlington Public Schools;
Heather Billings, Senior Waste Reduction Consultant at RecycleWorks MA; and
Kylie Hanson, Policy Associate, Frontier Group, alongside Zero Waste MA coalition members.

This event is sponsored by Clean Water Action, MassPirg, Community Action Works, and Conservation Law Foundation.
Register

Vernal Pools and Their Special Ecology
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:00
Seasonal ponds, known as vernal pools, are full of life and can be found throughout our area. Newton has several, including Bare Pond in Webster Woods. Join Newton Conservators’ Barbara Bates to discover how these pools form, their unique ecology, and the life stories of the invertebrates and amphibians who inhabit these pools. See fairy shrimp, salamanders, wood frogs, and many more.
Barbara is a teacher, naturalist, and a Newton Conservators’ board member.
If you have questions, please contact Webinars@newtonconservators.org.
Register

Home Energy Help - Drop-In Hours
2026-03-06 09:30 - 12:00 | Cooper Center for Active Living, 345 Walnut St., Newton, MA
Friday March 6, 2026
9:30am – 12pm
The Cooper Center for Active Living
345 Walnut St., Newton
Activity Room 1
Join us for a free, welcoming community event created to support you with your home energy needs. If you have questions about your energy bills, heating costs, or available assistance programs, this event offers a chance to get clear, one-on-one help in a friendly setting.
You can bring your energy bill for a review, get help signing up for fuel assistance programs, and learn about home energy assessments that may help improve comfort and reduce costs. Community experts will also be available to answer questions about heating and cooling options, including heat pumps, and to share easy-to-understand information about electrification.
No technical knowledge is needed, and there is no pressure to sign up for anything. Drop in anytime between 9:30am and 12pm and meet us at Activity Room 1 to get personalized guidance, ask questions, and connect with trusted local resources. This event is hosted by the City of Newton Climate & Sustainability Team, Green Newton, and Action for Boston Community Development in partnership to support local residents.

Planet in Sound: From Antarctica to Home Through Music
2026-03-07 19:00 - 20:15 | Newton Presbyterian Church, 75 Vernon St., Newton, MA, 02458, United States
Planet in Sound: From Antarctica to Home invites you on a musical journey across our planet’s most breathtaking landscapes, from the vast, frozen silence of Antarctica to the warmth and intimacy of human expression. Through music inspired by nature, earth, and belonging, this concert transforms the planet into a living soundscape, reminding us that even the most distant places are deeply connected to our inner world. Donations to ArsNova are welcome but not required.
Praised by Sing Tao Daily for “bringing the audience into a different sound world with her vibrant tones,” pianist Anran Qian is a versatile and compelling artist whose performances have taken her across Asia, Europe, and North America. Joined by guitarist and composer Dr. Alberta Khoury, an Australian-born musician celebrated for her powerful artistry and praised by The New York Times as “a seven-minute tour de force,” the duo brings together two vivid musical voices united by imagination, depth, and storytelling.
Together, they create a concert experience that is both expansive and intimate: where ice meets earth, sound becomes landscape, and music becomes a bridge between the planet we explore and the home we carry within.
Register

All Welcome to Green Drinks March 2026
2026-03-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Baramor, 45 Union St., Newton, MA
Join us March 10 at 7:30pm for Green Drinks at Baramor in Newton Centre.
Want to meet others who care about the environment as much as you do? Head over to Baramor for Newton Green Drinks! It’s a fun, casual evening with people who are passionate about building a sustainable Newton – and beyond. Hope to see you there!
If you’d like to be notified about future gatherings, contact organizer Brian Hodgson.

How to Get Plastic Out of Student Meals
2026-03-12 16:00 - 17:00
Currently, school cafeterias and college dining use a lot of plastic–from trays to plates, bowls, cups, straws and take-out containers. Most of these plastic items are used for a few minutes, then tossed into overflowing trash cans.
Schools pay large amounts of money to buy all these single-use plastics, then pay again to get it all hauled away by diesel garbage trucks to be landfilled or incinerated. Fortunately, there are safe, reusable alternatives to the single-use plastics off which our kids and grandkids are eating hot food and they’re available to schools right now.
Join Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, pediatrician and CEO of Ahimsa, and Alison Cove, founder and CEO of USEFULL to learn how we can get toxic plastic out of student dining. The webinar will be moderated by Beyond Plastics Science Director, Trisha Vaidyanathan, PhD.
The event is sponsored by Beyond Plastics.
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Redesigning the Future of Plastic Plant Containers
2026-03-19 17:00 - 18:00
In 2019 the Association of Professional Landscape Designers published a report entitled “Plastic Pots and the Green Industry: Production, Use, Disposal, and Environmental Impacts.” Marie Chieppo, the researcher and author of the report, concluded that approximately 98% of plastic horticultural containers are not recycled but go to landfills. The conclusion created an urgency with little resolve. A fair amount of progress with alternative materials has been made, but why aren’t we seeing them in nurseries?
Join Marie to learn about the obstacles facing manufacturers, recyclers, growers, consumers and lawmakers. As head of the alternative materials committee on the Horticultural Research Institute’s Plastic Task Force, Marie will also share with you the amazing progress being made on many fronts, including by Native Plant Trust.
The event is sponsored by Native Plant Trust.
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Gardeners’ Gathering Free Day of Workshops and More
2026-03-21 10:00 - 17:00 | Curry Center, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA
The Gardeners’ Gathering is a free gardening conference that brings Boston-area growers of all kinds together for a free day full of informative workshops, engaging exhibitors, networking, and inspiration.
The day includes an awards ceremony, remarks from Mayor Wu and local leaders, and an exhibitor’s hall of 30+ urban agriculture and advocacy organizations. The afternoon holds a plethora of panel workshops, including Native Plants in Massachusetts, Beekeeping, and Urban Soils and Lead: Best Practices. Boston’s community gardeners will be out in full force, and it’s a wonderful chance to connect. The event is free and open to all.
The event is hosted by the Trustees of Reservations.
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Why Our Gas Bills are So High and What We Can Do
2026-03-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Roslindale Branch of the Boston Public Library, 4246 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA
Your gas bill is rising, and most of it isn’t even for gas. Join the Mothers Out Front Boston West Chapter for a timely conversation about what’s driving up costs and what families can do about it.
We’ll tackle the big questions: How can ratepayers control costs when so much of their bill goes to maintaining the gas system itself? And as more and more people switch to cleaner all-electric living, who gets left holding the bill for an aging, oversized, and leaky system?
Come ready with your questions. The more we understand our gas bills, the better equipped we are to take action. There is no need to register for this event.

Community Gathering for Justice and Peace
2026-03-21 14:00 - 16:00 | First Unitarian Universalist Society, 1326 Washington Street, West Newton, MA
Green Newton and the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton are sponsoring this afternoon event which will showcase the work of the Youth Climate Solutions Team at Newton North High School. The students have a goal of encouraging 100 families in Newton to sign up for MassSave Home Energy audits. The afternoon will start at 2pm with a sing-along in the Parish Hall led by Newton Folk Music. At 3pm, the group will move to the sanctuary where the program will include remarks by the Newton North students, an address by keynote speaker Tinya Seeger (daughter of folk-singer Pete Seeger), and a performance by the What the World Needs Now Interfaith Coalition Singers. Following the program there will be a reception in the Parish Hall with refreshments and an opportunity for audience members to interact with the students and sign up for MassSave energy audits.

What do the Yellow Flags Mean? A Talk about Commercial Pesticide Applications
2026-03-25 17:00 - 18:00
Join the Massachusetts Sierra Club for a talk on everything you’ve ever wanted to know about commercial pesticide applications. Find out what are your rights pre- and post-application as a customer and neighbor. Dr. Rosemary Malfi will present on enhancements to the application notification process that have been proposed by state Conservationist Pesticide Advisory Council (CPAC).
Rosemary Malfi, Ph.D., is Director of Conservation Policy at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. She served for five years on state CPAC and is now on the state Pesticide Board.
Clint Richmond, Chapter Conservation Chair and CPAC Chair, will serve as the Moderator.
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'How Not to Die' Film and Q&A
2026-03-29 14:00 - 16:00 | First Unitarian Universalist Society, 1326 Washington Street, West Newton, MA
Did you know that plant-based eating is good for your health as well as the environment? The UU Plant-Based Eating Club will host a screening of How Not to Die, a powerful new documentary movie about the relationship between diet and health, followed by a live Q&A with physicians from Plant Docs. The event is free and will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton. Learn more here.
REGISTERIn addition to slashing greenhouse gases and conserving water and soil, moving towards a plant-based diet significantly benefits human health. Yet, many people wonder whether they can get adequate nutrition on a plant-based diet and how convenient it would be.
How Not to Die is a bold new feature documentary that confronts the greatest threat to human health—our diet. Based on the international bestselling book of the same name by Dr. Michael Greger, this movie plays like a fast-paced action thriller but is packed with hard-hitting data that just might save your life. How Not to Die exposes the role of the standard Western diet in fueling today’s most widespread illnesses. The run time is 1 hour and 18 minutes.
The movie will be followed by a live Q&A with physicians from Plant Docs, a nonprofit organization that uses a physician-led approach to help people add more unprocessed, plant-based foods to their lives so that they can feel better and live healthier. Plant Docs educates the public and medical professionals about how whole food, plant-based nutrition can prevent, improve, and reverse chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, auto-immune diseases, and certain cancers.
The event is sponsored by the UU Plant-Based Eating Club, housed at the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton (FUUSN). All are welcome, including those who eat a traditional American diet and are considering whether to make changes.

Green Newton Fundraiser: ‘Granite Rapids Moon’ at West Newton Cinema
2026-04-04 18:30 - 20:00 | West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington St., Newton, MA
A portion of all ticket sales go to fund Green Newton. Come for a fun evening out and help support local climate action!
The film Granite Rapids Moon follows a father of two on a week-long trek through the Grand Canyon. As we follow his solo hike, we see his memories of an earlier trip through the Grand Canyon with a different woman. The family-friendly film was shot by a crew carrying gear across 82 miles of Grand Canyon trails, with National Park Service oversight.
Buy Tickets

High Performance Building for Carpenters Class
2026-04-07 13:00 - 18:00 | Studio for High Performance Design and Construction, Newton, MA
The session runs from April 7 to April 28.
Carpenters, Builders, and Residential GC’s: learn high-performance building install skills BEFORE you need them with a client. Studio HPDC’s course combines building science and control layer basics with hands-on practice with plans, mock-ups, and frequently used tapes and materials – all inside Studio HPDC’s “High-Performance Barn.”
The next session starts April 7. Get your Workforce Training Fund tuition reimbursement grant application in by March 16 All the information and registration is at: https://www.studiohpdc.org/high-performance-building-course

MassEnergize Community Climate Leaders Conference
2026-04-08 08:00 - 17:00 | Bentley University, 175 Forest Street, Waltham, MA
Join climate leaders from across Massachusetts at the MassEnergize Community Climate Leaders Conference. Some highlights:

The day features plenary speakers Senator Mike Barrett, DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony, Green Energy Consumers Alliance Executive Director Larry Chretien, Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, cartoonist Tom Toro and Clean Energy Ventures Managing Director David Miller.
There will be breakout sessions covering electrification, climate communications, youth engagement, and grassroots organizing and much more.
The conference includes a Nonprofit & Community Resource Fair connecting organizations advancing local climate solutions.

Explore the full program and register.
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Guided Nature Walk in Kennard Park
2026-04-11 10:00 - 12:15 | Kennard Park, Newton, MA
Follow local naturalist Jeff Adams as he identifies native species, searches for spring ephemerals, and shares various plants’ natural histories. Jeff has led walks for the Friends of the Fells, Sudbury Valley Trustees, Arlington Land Trust, Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, and several other organizations. Terrain can be uneven. Meet at the parking lot at Kennard Park on Dudley Road.
Rain date: Sunday, April 12 ,10-12:15.
The event is sponsored by the Newton Conservators.
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