WESTBOROUGH – On March 16, the annual Environmental Action Fair offered visitors a chance to “spring forward” and learn about better ways to treat the planet.
The event was sponsored by Sustainable Westborough and the Rotary Club.
“It’s been a good turnout, a steady flow of people,” said Peter Dunbeck of Sustainable Westborough.
Vendors, municipal and volunteer groups occupied most of the Westborough High School gym. While some booths offered the latest in equipment – like energy savings, electric vehicles and battery-powered generators – others handed out information.
For example, the Westborough Garden Club had tips on how to grow native gardens – what plants to purchase, and what plants to avoid.
A few booths down, Westborough Community Land Trust displayed some stuffed animals, not so much for cuteness, but as a reminder on two issues – it’s a no-no to leave dog waste, in plastic bags or not, within WCLT properties; and using poison to kill rats could also kill owls.
In another part of the gym, school groups offered information on how plastics pollute the oceans, composting, etc. There were also games, including a trivia game and “recycling relay,” where contestants grabbed trash, ran across the gym and placed them in the correct bins.
Students also took part in the Art for Earth poster competition – one of several new features at the fair.
“The poster contest was an excellent idea,” said Dunbeck.
Members of the Rotary Club raffled off a Happydaze sweetgum tree; the winner could choose a spot for the tree, with planting provided by the Department of Public Works.
Speaking of trash, residents could learn more about the Pay As You Throw program that’s coming to the transfer station July 1. They could also pick up more information about what can, and cannot, be recycled.
Across from this booth, Hygge House displayed a collection of books with an environmental theme.
The Westborough Police Department was also on hand to show an e-bike it uses for patrols.
Even Pope Francis made an appearance as a cardboard cutout. He was there to help promote the community garden planted by members of St. Luke the Evangelist Church.
For more information on Sustainable Westborough, visit www.sustainablewestborough.org/599/Sustainable-Westborough.
The Rotary Club conducts a Trex plastics recycling drive most months. For details, email [email protected].
