Climate Preparedness Week 2021
September 24 –30, 2021 is Climate Preparedness Week, offering programs focused on sustainability and preparation for climate change. The Massachusetts Library System has been partnering with Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) for several years, offering and promoting programs during Climate Preparedness Week. This is the Concord Free Public Library’s third year participating in Climate Preparedness Week.
See below for more events scheduled for the week -
Climate Ribbon Project: Friday, September 24 to Thursday, September 30, all day
The Climate Ribbon Project is an arts ritual that encourages all to write and share what they most love and do not want to lose to climate change on a ribbon and add it to a display outside of the Main Library or Fowler Branch Library during Climate Preparedness Week.
Climate Prep Week Drawing Contest: ongoing
This year the theme is “The Weather Is Changing: Are You Prepared?” Kids and teens of all ages are encouraged to draw how they prepare for inclement weather and post it to Instagram or Facebook with the tag @BlueMarbleLibrarians. Three winners will receive a free virtual art class!
The CFPL Corp Sustainability Plan: ongoing
The Concord Free Public Library Corporation Sustainability Plan envisions that by 2030 the library will serve as both a living example of sustainable operations and net zero buildings and as a community hub to educate, inspire, and support the Concord community in creating a more sustainable future. A few printed copies of the Sustainability Plan are available at the library, as well as assistance with accessing the online version.
Seed Saving Workshop: Friday, September 24, 11:00 a.m.
Jess Myles of Codman Community Farms will lead a seed saving program in the Fowler Branch Backyard. Participants will learn valuable skills they can implement in their own garden. Please register HERE.
Keynote Lecture Featuring NYT Bestselling Author David Pogue: Friday, September 24, 2:00 p.m.
Join David Pogue, New York Times bestselling author of How to Prepare for Climate Change, on Zoom, as he presents the Climate Prep Week keynote lecture featuring a practical path to dealing with climate change that is within the individual’s control. Please register HERE.
Outdoor Storytime: Monday, September 27, 10:30 a.m.
Join the Children’s Department at the Main Library Sudbury Road Garden as they lead an in-person storytime focusing on climate and weather. No registration is required.
Lawns Be Gone! Welcome Native Plantings Into Your Landscape: Monday, September 27, 4:00 p.m.
Learn how you can transform your lawn into useful habitat, implement conservation practices at home, and become the best steward of your landscape. This program allows participants to attend in-person, please register HERE, or on Zoom, please register HERE.
Climate-Friendly Whole-House Heating and Cooling with Heat Pumps: Monday, September 27, 7:30 p.m.
The Concord Municipal Lighting Plant will lead a Zoom presentation—learn how two Concord residents got rid of fuel oil and natural gas heating systems and now heat and cool their homes comfortably and affordably with air-source heat pumps. Please register HERE.
Outdoor Storytime by Fowler: Tuesday, September 28, 10:00 a.m.
The Fowler Branch will lead an in-person storytime focusing on climate and weather in the Labyrinth Garden at the West Concord Union Church. No registration is required.
The Nature Connection: Tuesday, September 28, 4:00 p.m.
Local non-profit The Nature Connection will lead a program at the Main Library Sudbury Road Garden. where children can explore the theme of climate change and what can be done about it. There will be a visit from a live animal during this program! Please register HERE.
Stormwater Management: Tuesday, September 28, 7:00 p.m.
Join Melissa Simoncini, Environmental Services Program Administrator and Patrick Wood, P.E. Public Works Engineer of Concord Public Works as they share ways you can help reduce the impacts of storm water runoff through relatively easy and cost-effective strategies to create a healthy and resilient Concord. Please register HERE.
Going Green in Your Backyard: Wednesday, September 29, 2:00 p.m.
All ages are invited to the front lawn of the Main Library to learn about local wildlife and what can be done to help the environment beginning in the backyard. No registration is required for this program.
Create a Bug Out Bag: Wednesday, September 29, 4:00 p.m.
On the Main Library front lawn learn how to create a “bug out bag” to be prepared for dangerous weather and other effects of climate change. No registration is required for this program.
Climate-Friendly Plug-In Electric Cars: Wednesday, September 29, 7:30 p.m.
Join the Concord Municipal Light Plant for a Zoom presentation about climate-friendly plug-in electric cars. Please register HERE.
Book Discussion of David Pogue’s How to Prepare for Climate Change: Thursday, September 30, 7:00 p.m.
The library will lead a discussion of keynote speaker David Pogue’s How to Prepare for Climate Change. Join others in the community to discuss the book and share learning experiences from the week. Please register HERE.
