Environment - Marblehead Current

13 Oct

EVERYTHING WILL BE OK: The nature of sanctuary

Virginia BuckinghamColumns, Environment, Opinion, Virginia Buckingham

I took a lovely fall walk through the Audubon Sanctuary on Marblehead Neck recently, enjoying the quiet under a not-yet-colorful canopy. The path in parts was slightly muddy, rather than crunchy with leaves, from the recent Nor’easter. I gathered a perfect fallen acorn, another kind of tree nut I couldn’t identify, and a red and green spackled maple leaf in the palm of my hand, lifting the other to greet a male passerby talking to someone through his air buds. Otherwise I was alone. I…

13 Oct

Light Department offers behind-the-scenes look at how Marblehead gets its power

Leigh BlanderEducation, Environment, Top Stories

From a coal-fired generating plant on Marblehead Harbor in the 1890s to today's network of smart meters, substations and renewable-energy sources, the Marblehead Municipal Light Department has spent more than 130 years keeping the town's lights on. Last week, residents got a rare look behind the scenes. As part of Public Power Week, the MMLD opened its headquarters on Commercial Street for public tours, giving residents an opportunity to learn how the town-owned utility operates, where its electricity comes from, what goes into restoring power…

09 Oct

Marblehead lands $718K Rail Trail grant as new volunteer group launches

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Top Stories

Marblehead has been awarded a $718,444 state grant to advance design, engineering, permitting and community engagement for the town's 4.5-mile Rail Trail, as a new volunteer group launches to help maintain and improve the popular pathway. The funding will bring the project closer to construction readiness, according to Brendan Callahan, the town's director of community development and planning. The grant will support final design and permitting for the Swampscott, Salem and Wye Junction branches of the trail. Marblehead has received a $718,000 state grant to…

30 Sep

Light Board backs Green Community effort, winter rate discount

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

Marblehead’s effort to become a state-designated Green Community cleared a key hurdle Tuesday night when the Municipal Light Board voted to join a state renewable energy fund, a step officials said is necessary for the town to complete its application. The board also approved a new, temporary tiered electricity rate for residential customers this winter designed to lower bills while encouraging residents who heat with electricity to use more power during months when the Light Department has excess capacity. Both rate changes are expected to…

30 Sep

Investments can be your climate action

Elaine LeahyColumns, Environment, Nonprofit corner, Opinion

When we think about reducing our carbon footprints, what usually comes to mind are actions like electrifying our home heating systems, driving less, walking and biking more, or using less energy. These are important measures to consider, but another very effective — and often overlooked — way to make a difference is to consider our investments and what our money is supporting. Whether it’s a retirement account, mutual fund or other investment, our money doesn’t simply stay put. Financial institutions invest and lend money throughout…

26 Sep

Nor’easter brings rain, wind, high surf to Marblehead

Leigh BlanderCuzner in Nature, Environment, Top Stories

An early season nor'easter is bringing rain, wind and high surf to Marblehead. High wind and coastal flooding warnings remain in effect through Sunday at 8 p.m. with heavy rain expected throughout the day. "There are several trees and limbs down around town, but with the leaves still on the trees and the gusting winds, it was expected," Fire Chief Jason Gilliland told the Current Saturday evening. This tree in Green Street Cemetery split during the nor'easter Saturday. CURRENT PHOTO / NOAH WILSON Kids check…

21 Sep

Five thousand pumpkins, one big community effort

Leigh BlanderCommunity Resources, Environment, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories

At Clifton Lutheran Church, the pumpkins are multiplying. What began 10 years ago as a modest experiment — with about 600 pumpkins and a congregation wondering whether anyone would actually buy them — has grown into one of the church’s biggest annual traditions. This year, roughly 2,500 jack-o-lantern-sized pumpkins are already on the church's front lawn, with another full truckload arriving in two weeks. By then, Pastor James Bixby expects the total to reach about 5,000, not counting the countless tiny pumpkins and decorative varieties…

17 Sep

Conservancy airs concerns as Rail Trail work advances

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Top Stories

Marblehead is moving ahead with plans to improve several stretches of its popular 4.5-mile Rail Trail, with one section approaching 90% design, another awaiting coordination with a Marblehead Municipal Light Department resiliency project and a third tied up in a state contract that town officials have been waiting more than a year to execute. But as the plans advance, the Marblehead Conservancy is raising concerns that the town may be going too far — transforming what it sees as a rustic, natural trail into something…

15 Sep

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Entertainment, Environment, Top Stories

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email the Current at info@marbleheadnews.org. Find Your Climate Action with Vienna TengFriday, Sept. 18, 4-5 p.mReady to take action on climate change but aren’t sure where to start? Join Sustainable Marblehead for a workshop to discover climate actions that fit your life, interests and priorities. Singer-songwriter Vienna Teng hosts interactive climate action workshops while on tour to help fans connect their personal lives and priorities with meaningful…

14 Sep

From tiny oysters, big hopes for healthier waters

Leigh BlanderAnimals, Environment, Top Stories

Outside the Marblehead Harbormaster’s office sits a big white box that has been attracting curious looks all summer. Inside are six orange buckets containing about 25,000 tiny oysters — some no bigger than a grain of rice — quietly doing their part in an ambitious effort to restore oyster populations and improve the coastal ecosystem. The oyster upweller outside the Marblehead Harbormaster’s Office contains about 25,000 baby oysters. People gathered for an update on the project Sept. 10. The box is an oyster upweller, installed…