Dear Staff and Community,

We have exciting updates, events, and volunteer opportunities related to sustainability in our schools and City of Cambridge happening over the next few weeks. Please read below for all the information!

Thanks for all you do for the environment!

Happy fall,

~Kristen

Help Kids Compost!
Love kids? Love composting? Volunteer, a little or a lot, to remind students "what goes where" and why we compost and recycle. Breakfast shifts are ~7:30-8:30AM and lunch shifts are ~11AM-1:15PM. You can help the continued success of the school composting programs! Please email [email protected] to learn more and join the team.



Kids' Opportunity to Explore Fresh Pond
Wednesday, November 11 | 1-2:30PM
Ranger Ramble for families with children 4-8 at Fresh Pond. Explores Black's Nook, the Butterfly Meadow, and Lusitania Field. Participants will look for animals' signs and changes in the landscape and explore how animals look for food and shelter for the winter or chose ways to survive that might involve staying active, changing shape, taking long naps, hibernating or migrating. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register for starting place and parking information with Martine at [email protected].



Bike Safety Reminders
Please watch for bikes as you bike/walk/drive to school. Our bikers are our children, our fathers, our mothers, our teachers, our employees, and more! This is especially important as the days grow darker, earlier. We want everyone to be safe!

The City of Cambridge continues to work to remind motorists of their responsibilities in the “Watch for Bikes” campaign. Please read this brochure and spread the word! Thank you.

Highlights of the "Watch for Bikes" Brochure:
• LOOK before turning
• LOOK before opening a car door
• LOOK before you enter a main street out of a driveway or side street

Donate Your Extra Reusable
Shopping Bags!
The Cambridge Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) is sponsoring a reusable bag drive Nov 2015-Jan 2016. Many of us have more reusable bags than we actually use. Let’s reuse and donate clean, empty and useful bags! Our goal is to collect 10,000 bags and give them to Cambridge residents that need them most. Click here for a list of locations that are accepted donations of reusable bags!

This effort is in advance of the Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance (BYOB) which takes effect March 31, 2016. The purpose of the Ordinance is to reduce disposable checkout bags by retail establishments to protect the marine environment, advance solid waste reduction, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect waterways. The Ordinance seeks to reduce the number of plastic and paper bags being burned, used, discarded and littered, and to promote the use of reusable checkout bags.



CitySprouts Cider Press
Volunteers Needed
We're still looking for volunteers for cider pressing! Come cut apples, make cider, and watch children having fun as they explore the garden. We have open volunteer shifts on: Thursday, November 12 (AM). Interested in volunteering? Email Mike Hachey at [email protected].  

Also, stay connected to CitySprouts and read about the wonderful things we are doing in Cambridge schools by following us on social media! Get up-to-the-minute updates by reading our blog and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Volunteer at Fresh Pond!
Wake Up and Weed!
Every Thursday | 10AM-12Noon
(Meet at the volunteer trailer in the front parking lot)
Join our weed-warrior crew! We are Fresh Pond citizens dedicated to keeping invasive plants at bay for the benefit of wildlife, water and humans alike. Volunteers play an integral role at Fresh Pond in supporting native wildlife and plant communities. No experience or long-term commitment necessary! All tools are provided; sturdy shoes, pants, long-sleeves and a water bottle are strongly recommended. Come drop by!



Urban Gardening Workshop at
Cambridge Public Library!
Saturday, November 14 | 10:30AM-12Noon 
Cambridge Public Library 
Register here >>
Wondering when to cut back your perennials and how long into autumn you can plant or prune perennials, trees, and shrubs? Anna Fialkoff will discuss the steps to transitioning your garden into winter dormancy and guide you through a timeline for what to do when. This class is part of the Urban Gardening Series a set of classes designed to help city dwellers grow healthy, sustainable, and beautiful urban gardens. Led by New England Wildflower Society staff in partnership with the Cambridge Conservation Commission, these free classes take place at the Cambridge Public Library.