Clean up Your Assabet - OARS Giving "Back" Tuesday
2025-12-02 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Nashoba Brook Bakery, 152 Commonwealth Avenue #3, Concord, Massachusetts, 01742, United States
Celebrate the launch of 40 Years, 3 Rivers with OARS on Giving “Back” Tuesday!
WHEN: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 5–7 PM
WHERE: Nashoba Brook Bakery, 152 Commonwealth Avenue #3, Concord, MA 01742
Instead of asking for donations on Giving Tuesday, OARS 3 Rivers is giving back. Join us for an evening of snacks, drinks, and community, and meet the OARS team!
This event also kicks off our December theme: Clean up Your Assabet. Special “Clean up Your Assabet” T-shirts will be on sale—get yours before they run out!

Come be part of the very first celebration in a year of exciting events honoring OARS’ 40th anniversary!

Registration is highly encouraged, although not required.

Maynard to the Sea: A Solo Canoe Trip
2025-12-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Roosevelt Room, Maynard Public Library, 77 Nason Street, Maynard, 01754, United States
As a new resident to Maynard and avid paddler Ozzy wanted to trace the path a drop of water takes from his home to the ocean. Join us as he talks about this 62 mile, 2 day journey from Maynard to the Ocean and what he learned about the rivers, the towns and cities along the way.

Sustainable Middlesex Carbon Countdown 2025
2025-12-15 09:30 - 11:00 | Follen Church, Lexington, 755 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, United States
Join us for Carbon Countdown 2025 to hear from Senator Mike Barrett and to learn how State programs are backing local climate projects!

Senator Mike Barrett will update us on the State Legislature’s efforts regarding Climate Change

Carbon Countdown 2025: State Support for Local Climate Initiatives
Join us to learn how State programs can provide crucial support for local climate initiatives. Learn from experts in the field, and network with like-minded individuals who are passionate about combating climate change. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of the solution!
Date: Saturday, December 13
Location: Online, and In-person at Follen Church, Lexington, MA
Registration: Required, event is free

Five Lightning Rounds Presenting Innovative State Climate Programs

Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Mass Climate Bank
Green Communities
Municipal Vulnerability Program
Environment and Climate One Stop

This event is cosponsored by:

350 Mass MetroNorth
Andover WECAN
Building Electrification Accelerator
Climate Action Working Group of First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington
EcoNatick
Elders Climate Action
Essex County Community Foundation
First Parish Lexington
Food Link
Gas Transitions Allies
Green Beverly
Green Community Catalysts
Green Newton
Lexington Climate Action Network
Mass Climate Action Network
Mass Energize
Mothers Out Front Arlington
Sierra Club Massachusetts
Sustainable Arlington
Sustainable Lexington
Sustainable Marblehead
Sustainable Sudbury
Sustainable Wellesley

Watersheds, Water Pollution, and Water Quality
2026-01-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Fowler Library, 1322 Main St, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Are you interested in learning about local river science? Come learn about water quality programs for the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord rivers with the local nonprofit OARS 3 Rivers from Water Quality Program Manager Abby McCarthy. She will share a fun and interesting presentation about the ongoing programs to monitor and improve water quality, what issues affect river health in the watershed, and how you can get involved in local river science volunteering. Although this talk is designed for a general audience of adults and youth ages 12 and up, people of all ages are welcome to attend.
The talk will be 45 minutes, followed by ample time for questions. We hope to help build excitement for local environmental projects and water science!
This program is offered in partnership with OARS 3 Rivers and Middlesex Conservation District.

Winter Seed Sow Workshop
2026-01-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Verrill Farm, 11 Wheeler Rd, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
See the list of items to bring and register so they know you’re coming. Two sessions at 1pm (Full) and 2:30pm (open).
Join Alexi Dart-Padover from the Concord Land Conservation Trust as he guides participants in making clay seed balls—a.k.a seed bombs!—using the Land Trust’s collection of native seeds. The process is hands-on, easy to follow, and fun for all ages! The sticky clay can get a little messy, but don’t worry, supplies will be on hand for washing up. The Land Trust will scatter the seed bombs at sites where invasive plants have been removed, helping to restore disturbed habitats. Participants are also welcome to take some seed bombs home to scatter in their own yards!
This activity is part of a Winter Seed Sow workshop, where you can start your own native seedlings in reused milk jugs. If you’ve ever wanted to grow native plants in your garden, this is the easiest and most affordable way to try it. All seeds are provided; just bring any rinsed gallon jugs if you have them. The event is organized by the Concord Pollinator Health Committee, CCHS Green Team, and Concord Library.
Fowler Library will also host small 20-minute drop-in sessions January 14th from 3-5 PM.

Sustainable Concord Coffee: Time-of-Day Electric Rates
2026-01-20 08:00 - 09:00 | First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Rd, Concord, Massachusetts, US
Laura Scott from CMLP will introduce the new time-of-day electric rates that CMLP plans to roll out to residential customers beginning April 1, 2026. She will talk about:

why CMLP chose time-of-days rates
how they work; and
the potential benefits and challenges for customers.

She will also touch briefly on the wider electric market and why time-of-day rates make sense in today’s world.
Laura Scott’s 38-year career spans commodities trading, finance, strategy and consulting in the North American electricity, natural gas, and oil markets. She currently serves as the Assistant Director for Power Supply & Energy Management at the CMLP where she helps maintain a reliable, cost-effective and forward-thinking utility that serves the needs of the Concord community.
Arrive early (7:30) for coffee and fresh baked breakfast goodies

Civic Concord Podcast: Winter Road Maintenance
2026-01-27 - 2026-02-03 | MA
Find out how the Town of Concord uses technology to monitor weather hyper-locally and clears 44 miles of sidewalks after a winter storm in this podcast as Assistant Town Manager, Megan Zammuto talks with Highway & Grounds Superintendent, Aaron Miklosko.
Civic Concord Podcast

Wreath Composting at Fowler
2026-01-31 10:30 - 16:00 | Fowler Branch Library, 1322 Main Street, Concord, MA, US
Keep your wreaths out of the trash! Bring them to Fowler where Mothers Out Front and volunteers with wire cutters will help us remove the wire so the greenery can be composted at the Town Compost Site and the forms reused!
Bring work gloves (and wire cutters if you have them)! It doesn’t take long at all to take apart your wreath, and we are happy to show you how.

For questions, please call Fowler at 978-318-3350.

No Registration Required

*If this date doesn’t work for you, the self-help wreath station will be open from January 27-30, 10:00-4:30

'Does It Work?' Mid-winter Green Home Tours
2026-01-31 13:00 - 15:30 | All over town, Concord, MA
Visit a Concord home (or two), enjoy a cup of hot mulled cider and great conversations with neighbors. Bring your questions. Get real answers about 21st-century electric heating, cooling, cooking and car travel:

Can a heat pump really keep a home warm throughout the winter?
What’s it like to drive an EV on a long trip?
How does cooking on an induction stove compare to gas?
Is it worth getting solar panels?

You may leave with new friends. You’ll certainly leave with new insights, including a feel for the comfort of a heat pump-heated home in mid-winter.
Register Now to reserve your space at concordma.gov/MidWinterHomeTour.
In case of weather cancellation, the snow date will be February 7th at the same times.

WEBINAR: Recent Climate Progress in MA
2026-02-02 19:00 - 20:00 | MA
What progress have we made against climate change since last year?
Congregation Or Atid is pleased to once again welcome
Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer
to discuss our progress and path forward. This event is free and open to the public.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the zoom link.

Conservation & Climate Coffee
2026-02-03 07:30 - 09:00 | Planning and Land Management Building, 141 Keyes Rd., Concord, MA, 01742, United States
A Coffee gathering hosted by Concord’s Natural Resources Dept.
Open to the public.

The Road Ahead: The Impact of Federal Cuts and the State's Response
2026-02-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Sudbury Meeting House, 327 Concord. Rd., Sudbury, MA, 01776, United States
Rep. Gentile and Sen. Eldridge co-host a presentation featuring Director of the Commonwealth’s Office of Federal Funds and
State Infrastructure, Quentin Palfrey.
Palfrey will provide an overview of how Massachusetts
is responding to the recent, dramatic changes in federal funding, the potential impacts on
local governments, non-profits, and others, and what lies ahead.

Winter Walk for Thoreau School Families
2026-02-04 08:15 - 09:00 | Fowler Branch, 1322 Main St, Concord, Massachusetts, US
Thoreau families are invited to bundle up and walk to school on February 4th. This fun, community building event promotes healthy, car-free routes to school. Meet at the Fowler Library at 8:00am to join the group. The event is a collaboration between the Concord Public Library, Mothers Out Front Concord, and the Safe Routes to School program.

Yard Sign Contest
2026-02-04 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-04 16:00 - 17:00 | Fowler Branch Library, 1322 Main Street, Concord, MA, US
Fowler Library’s Craft Lab will be joined by Massachusetts’ Safe Routes to School (SRTS) ambassadors and Mothers Out Front to create designs to enter in this year’s SRTS yard sign contest. The Massachusetts SRTS Program’s Yard Sign Design Contest is a way for students to use their creativity to help promote safe roads for cyclists and pedestrians in their communities. This year’s theme is “No Idling.”

Fowler Craft Lab: Safe Routes to School Yard Signs
Wednesday, February 4 at 2 PM and 4 PM

For details, visit cfpl.info/events

Community Listening Sessions
2026-02-07 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-02-14 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-02-21 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-02-28 12:00 - 13:30 | Fowler Library, 1322 Main St, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Mothers Out Front – Concord wants to hear from you! Drop by the Fowler Library on Saturdays in February to voice your climate concerns and discuss solutions.
Busy parents welcome!

Land Conservation Webinar Series
2026-02-10 18:30 - 20:00 | MA
This free webinar series will help Massachusetts landowners decide the future of their land and take steps to formalize a conservation-based estate plan to achieve their personal and financial goals. This year’s webinar series will also include a webinar focused on the children of landowners.

The next topic in the series: Permanent Land Conservation Tools with Olivia Lukacic, The Trustees of Reservations

Missed one? Registration will allow access past webinars in the series.

Climate Action Committee (CAC) Meeting
2026-02-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Concord Town House, 22 Monument Square, Concord, Massachusetts, US
Monthly meeting of the town’s Climate Action Committee
See meeting agendas and minutes HERE

Historic Land Preservation Retrospective - A 25-Year Retrospective of Heywood Meadow
2026-02-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Planning and Land Management Building, 141 Keyes Rd., Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Learn how a few citizens organized to preserve Heywood Meadow, a historic landscape situated between Monument Square and the Historic Mile.
All are welcome!

Concord Climate Action Network: Sustainable Coffee
2026-02-17 07:45 - 09:00 | First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Rd, Concord, Massachusetts, US
Could Concord have municipal compost services? Join this month’s Sustainable Coffee for a presentation and discussion on the topic.

Coffee, breakfast food, & conversation at 7:45am.Presentation with time for questions at 8am.

Solar without Federal Incentives Webinar
2026-02-18 19:00 - 20:00 | MA
Join this webinar to find out why solar still works and what options exist.
What homeowners should know to go solar with confidence.

MA 100 Home Study Webinar
2026-02-19 09:00 - 10:00 | MA
Presenting the groundbreaking Massachusetts 100-Home Embodied Carbon Study! This is the first time we’ve seen an analysis of the actual carbon impact, both embodied and operational, from a range of recent residential new construction. Also, the authors propose integrating embodied-carbon into energy assessments currently conducted by HERS® Raters.

Pop-up Nature Exhibit
2026-02-21 13:00 - 14:30 | Concord Scout House, 84 Walden St., Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Join OARS at the Concord Scout House for an afternoon pop-up exhibit of nature sounds recorded at Scout Island and Nashoba Brook. Enjoy the sounds of water, birds, and wildlife as you walk through the hall, accompanied by photographs and projections of the island.

MOF Chapter Meeting Brunch
2026-02-22 12:00 - 14:00 | MA
Join Mothers Out Front – Concord for February’s Chapter Meeting Brunch! Eat, drink, and see what other parents are doing around town today to make our climate more liveable for tomorrow.
Register for details.

Seed Packing Party
2026-02-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Fowler Branch Library, 1322 Main Street, Concord, MA, US
Join us at Fowler Branch as we restock the Concord Seed Lending Library!

Concord Winter Walks
2026-03-03 09:30 - 11:00 | MA
Get out and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the winter landscape with these trail walks in the Concord/Carlisle area. Designed to get you moving while enjoying the scenery, each walk will be 2 – 2.5 miles, slightly slower than our fitness hikes. Micro Spikes are required for when the trails are slick with ice or packed snow. Hiking poles are recommended. We will not be snowshoeing in this class. Come for the camaraderie of exploring the outdoors with like-minded people! Directions to the trailhead will be sent out each week.
Walks take place Tuesdays in March, $85/pp

Tree Webinar with IPCC author, Dr. William Moomaw
2026-03-04 19:00 - 20:30 | MA
In this webinar, Dr. William Moomaw will discuss the irreplaceable value of mature trees and the threat posed by the proposed private jet hangar expansion at Hanscom Field. Dr. Moomaw was a lead author for five IPCC reports, including one that received the Nobel Peace Prize.
About the speaker: Dr. Moomaw has been a lead author of five major Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. As a Science Fellow, he worked in the U.S. Senate on energy and forestry legislation and on legislation that eliminated American use of CFCs in spray cans to protect the ozone layer. He was the first director of the climate program at the World Resources Institute in 1988 He has been elected an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow. Dr. Moomaw was also founding director of the Tufts Institute of the Environment, Tufts Climate Initiative, and co-founder of the Global Development and Environment Institute.
