Sustainable Westport is our town’s non-profit environmental advocacy and educational organization. As 2926 nears an end, they write to residents:
This has been a full year. You showed up to events in the rain (and the heat) to enjoy camaraderie among neighbors, familiar and new. You introduced us to your friends, shared notes and ideas, and asked the questions that keep us all engaged and connected.
Many of you made small changes at home that you may think nobody noticed. We noticed, and they add up to more than you know.
Sustainable Westport offered tips to “Unplastic,” all around the home.
So thank you. Truly. Sustainable Westport was started knowing the abundance of care and connection that people are capable of, and you’ve cared more generously than we could have imagined. It is so humbling to see.
Sustainability can sound like a big, heavy word, but here in Westport it looks a lot like neighbors looking out for each other and for the beautiful place we share.
We’ll be honest: the world feels heavy right now. On the national stage, sustainability keeps getting pushed to the back of the line, and some days it’s hard not to wonder whether we’re making a dent at all.
And then we look around Westport. These ideas around sustainability come up at soccer games, in line for coffee, at school functions and over backyard fences.
Staples High boys lacrosse saved dozens of plastic water bottles, by using stainless steel cups and large dispensers at a team dinner.
It doesn’t feel like a project anymore. It feels like who we are as a town. That’s where our hope lives right now, close to home, and we’re carrying it into the holidays with a lot of gratitude.
Many of you also took the time to learn about the candidates this fall, show up, listen and vote. Thank you for that too.
Whoever is representing us, our job now is the same: Stay in touch with them. Share what matters to this town, invite them to see the good work happening here, and keep the conversation kind and open. Our leaders do their best work when they know the people they serve, so let’s make sure they know us well.
Water filling stations also save plastic bottles, at Winslow Park (above) and Compo Beach.
As the days get shorter and the tables get fuller, we hope you find time to slow down and enjoy the people around you. We’ll keep sharing stories and ideas along the way, in the newsletter, on Instagram, in your inbox, and on our website, so stop by whenever you like. It’s always nice to hear from you.
You may notice a new look to our communications and social media presence soon. That is intentional.
As we reflect on this year and think about where we want to take Sustainable Westport in 2027, we want to make sustainability feel more relevant, accessible and engaging for everyone in our community.
That means freshening up how we share our stories, celebrating the people and partnerships making a difference, and offering more practical ideas that make it easier to take action because the problems we are all trying to solve are urgent.
Our mission hasn’t changed, but we’re evolving how we connect with you, and we hope you’ll find more opportunities to learn, participate, and be inspired along the way.
With so much gratitude, and wishing you a warm and happy Thanksgiving,
Johanna Martell and Gately Ross
Co-directors, Sustainable Westport
(“06880” often covers the environmental, from many Westport angles. If you appreciate stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
