Andover’s First Sustainability Fair a Success!
By Grace, AHS Senior and WECAN intern
Saturday, September 24th the Town of Andover welcomed an estimated 10,000 visitors to celebrate Andover Days, an annual event sponsored by the Andover Chamber of Commerce to showcase local businesses and non-profit groups.
For the first time, Andover Days featured a Sustainability Fair, hosted by Andover WECAN. Nonprofits groups and businesses gathered to present their initiatives, discuss sustainability programs, welcome new members, and most importantly, build momentum for a sustainable future.
Mary Pritchard, Andover WECAN leader and organizer of the Sustainability Fair was thrilled with the turnout and community engagement in sustainability saying, “Andover’s strong culture of community activism guarantees that the Sustainability Fair will continue to engage residents, and the collection of environmental organizations dedicated to sustainability will contribute to our goal of zero-emissions. If we work together as a community, we will ensure a healthier, more productive and sustainable environment for future generations.”
“We need to be speaking up – not just talking to people but speaking up! Being a part of an organization like ours is a lot better, and it’s more fun too!”
The Andover High School sustainability booth was crowded with passionate activists, including students from the Environmental Club, Gardening Club, and the Environmental Sustainability Internship Course.
Sadie Rooney, President of the Environmental Club and an Environmental Sustainability Internship Course (ESIC) student emphasized the importance of their high school presence at the Sustainability Fair saying, “I think it’s important to promote all the sustainability action that Andover High School does for the town, so we can get their support and make them more aware of the importance of sustainability in our community.”
ESIC student and AVIS intern, Izzy Senior, also expressed her passion sharing, “I wanted to be a part of the Sustainability Fair because everyone needs to understand the importance of being kinder to our environment in order to create a sustainable future.”
Education about sustainability, electrifying homes and transportation, native plants to support biodiversity in backyards and community engagement were common themes among the environmental groups that participated in the Sustainability Fair. Nancy Maynes from Elder’s Climate Action talked about the importance of folks learning what each individual can do.
“We’re here to educate. We want people to be involved, we obviously want them to vote, we want them to participate and contribute as much as they can in whatever way they can.” Maynes said.
Tom Amiro, also a representing Elder’s Climate Action, added, “The planet has warmed up 1.1 degrees celsius and you can see the results. We need to be speaking up – not just talking to people but speaking up! Being a part of an organization like ours is a lot better, and it’s more fun too!”
