Happy New Year! Our monthly roundup of community news and events!
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Welcome to our January newsletter! It's hard to believe that the new year is already here! As you will read below, there is lots of new activity at MassEnergize. New employees, new programs, new events and webinars, and of course, a new annual conference in the works! I hope you will take the opportunity this year to join us for one of our many programs or events!
As always, please reach out to let us know what else we can be doing to support you or your community on the road to a healthier planet for all!
MassEnergize, in partnership with the City of Newburyport, is excited to announce the launch of our Newburyport Clean Energy for Elders program, which is supported by an Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant (EECBG) from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).
This innovative initiative is designed to engage older adults in energy transitions and efficiency efforts, empowering them as leaders in their communities.
Through this program, older adults will be trained and supported as Clean Energy Counselors, serving as volunteer peer influencers who advocate for the benefits of clean energy. These counselors will focus on promoting:
Heat pump technology for efficient heating and cooling
Home solar solutions for renewable energy generation
Community solar programs to reduce energy costs
Energy efficiency improvements to lower energy consumption and strengthen climate resilience
By working within their own networks, these elder counselors will help extend knowledge and build awareness of clean energy solutions, enhancing resilience and sustainability in their communities.
Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2025 Community Climate Leaders Conference!
Get ready to join us on April 30th at Bentley University, Waltham for a transformative day of inspiration, collaboration, and action! This is your chance to connect with climate leaders, local organizers, and passionate activists dedicated to driving change.
Don’t Miss Out! Early Bird discounts are available until January 17th—secure your spot today and save!
This year’s conference will be packed with powerful sessions, dynamic speakers, and meaningful opportunities to engage with others working at the forefront of climate action. Let’s make 2025 a year of bold progress—we can’t wait to see you there!
Interested in Volunteering?
We are looking for a few volunteers to help with the organization of the event. If you have any ideas or would like to be involved in any way, please reach out to us here.
The Community Climate Leaders Conference 2025 relies on the generous support of our sponsors.
Gold Sponsors
Meet Our Newest Team Members!
We’re thrilled to welcome three new incredible individuals to the MassEnergize team, bringing fresh perspectives and skills to support our mission of empowering communities to take climate action.
Ariha Jain - Community & Program Support Specialist
Originally from India, with a Master of Science in Business Analytics from Brandeis University, Ariha brings expertise in analytics and a passion for sustainable development. She will lead the Newburyport Clean Energy for Elders campaign and assist community leaders across Massachusetts in running effective clean energy campaigns while engaging residents.
Ariha is dedicated to empowering communities and fostering impactful change. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new landscapes and thriving on the energy of arcade challenges.
We’re excited to see the positive impact this program and Ariha’s contributions will bring in advancing clean energy and climate resilience to the MassEnergize family and beyond!
Natalie Daly – Energy Efficiency Program Assistant Natalie joins MassEnergize through a partnership with Mass Save’s community education and engagement programs and the Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University. With a Master’s in Environmental Science and Policy from Clark University and a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies, Natalie is passionate about fostering environmental awareness.
As an Energy Efficiency Program Assistant, Natalie will focus on community outreach and engagement, working in conjunction with the Christa McAuliffe Center's PETM program. Natalie’s position is funded by a Mass Save Community Education grant, and in their downtime, they enjoy crocheting and listening to podcasts.
Manuel Trujillo – Climate Communications Intern
Manuel joins us through a partnership with Mass CEC, taking on the role of Climate Communications Intern. A junior at Emerson College majoring in Marketing Communications with a minor in Management and Leadership, Manuel is eager to use his marketing expertise to elevate sustainable initiatives locally and globally.
In his role, Manuel will support MassEnergize’s annual conference and campaign communications, helping to spread the word about the impactful work happening across the state. Originally from Colombia, Manuel loves exploring Boston and its surroundings in his free time.
We’re excited to have Ariha, Natalie and Manuel on board to help advance our mission. Stay tuned for the amazing work they’ll be doing!
Heat Pump Webinar Recap
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Heat Pump Webinar on December 4th, 2024, as part of our plugIN Metrowest and Resilient Swampscott campaigns! It was incredible to see participants from 10+ communities across the state come together to learn about efficient home heating and cooling solutions.
A special shoutout to Steve Breit from the Heat Smart Alliance for his expert presentation and to the community members who shared their inspiring experiences.
Looking for resources? To access the webinar recording, presentation, and additional materials click here.
Need personalized guidance? Email support@massenergize.org or connect with a coach through the Heat Smart Alliance here.
Our Next Webinar: Curious about solar energy? Join us for a Solar Webinar on January 23rd at 7 PM with East Coast Solar. Registration is now open - register here!
Thank you for your continued interest in clean energy solutions—let’s keep the momentum going!
Kick off 2025 with the first Community of Practice Session on January 13th!
We're thrilled to invite you to the first Community of Practice gathering of 2025—a chance to connect, collaborate, and kickstart the year with purpose and energy!
Whether you're refining ongoing campaigns or launching something new, this is the space to gather inspiration and practical tools to amplify your impact.
Register now and join us as we lay the foundation for an impactful year of climate action. Let’s make 2025 a standout year together!
(January 11th & 25th, 10am - 2pm - Fairmount Fruit Farm 885 Lincoln St, Franklin, MA)
Want to shop local for produce and goods, even in the winter? The Fairmount Fruit Farm has you covered! Join them for their winter markets, where you can browse local vendors from the comfort of their heated greenhouses.
The Winter Markets will take place twice a month until April 2025. Vendors change from market to market, so there's a lot of variety. Learn more about the event series here.
(January 15th, 4pm - 6pm - Wayland Town Building, Large Meeting Room, 41 Cochituate Road, Wayland, MA)
Learn a new technique, the winter sow, for growing our local native flowering perennials from seed.
Local Native Plant gardeners, Shelley Trucksis and Jean Milburn, present on local native plants and their role in preserving our ecosystem. Sowing native seeds in winter is an economical way for private homeowners to add native plants to their own yards so that their gardens work to support pollinators in synergy with surrounding properties.
For more information about the event and how to register, click here.
(January 28th, 6:30pm - 7:45pm - Acton Memorial Library, Main Meeting Room, 486 Main Street, Acton, MA)
Join local author Rich Marcello for a sit down interview on his 6th novel, The Means of Keeping. The Means of Keeping is a profound exploration of grief, friendship, and the indelible impact of climate change on personal and global scales. For information about the event, click here.
Please help us by sending your community event pictures to info@massenergize.org. We appreciate your support!
MassEnergize relies on donations from supporters like you!
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