Earth Day: It's a Pretty Big Deal

April 2023

Changing The World Together

“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our child" -Native American Proverb

This Earth Day, join GWL staff and the Green Team in a city-wide cleanup event that will have our parks, streets, and roads cleaner than before. We’re looking for volunteers of all ages, businesses, schools, non-profits, and community organizations who want to lend a hand and help clean up around the city. Register for our Earth Day cleanup on April 29th, and join us in becoming better “borrowers” of this planet we call home.

Xiye Bastida, indigenous youth, articulates the power of youth activism in her Ted Talk, If You Adults Won't Save the World, We Will , stating, "I was shocked by the realization that youth could turn public opinion on social issues.” The sentiment of Bastida’s words resonates with us because we know how powerful youth voice and leadership can be when it comes to issues of social change. Groundwork Lawrence invests in leaders for tomorrow, and our collective work makes our open spaces beautiful, and safe for all ages to enjoy, for decades and decades to come.

It’s is never too late to be involved in our programming. Learn more about Earth Day, Green Team, and activism by visiting our website.

💡Did You Know?

International Mother Earth Day, much like Earth Day, is a moment to encourage each other to live in harmony with nature and the Earth as our common home. It is a moment to read and learn from indigenous peoples on the vanguard of climate action. The indigenous peoples have long been stewards of our planet. At least a quarter of the world’s land area is owned, managed, used or occupied by indigenous peoples and local communities.¹

Welcome to Tree City USA:

Celebrating Arbor Day in Lawrence

Arbor Day is traditionally a time where people are encouraged to plant trees around the country. Since the inception of our Green Streets program, we have planted more than 4000 trees, with 2985 having been planted since 2016. Our trees can be found in backyards, businesses, houses of worship, schools, and, of course, our public parks.

In fact, our commitment to increasing the urban canopy in Lawrence is so strong the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Lawrence as “Tree City USA” for over 20 consecutive years!

In honor of Arbor Day 2023, we are joining students and faculty at the Robert Frost School to plant 12 trees to create a natural canopy that will provide shade, beauty, and support the bee population as they pollinate and create more beauty in our city.

Are you interested in free trees for your home or business? Contact Tennis Lilly today for more information.

💡Did You Know?

Arbor Day first began in Nebraska in 1872. It was estimated that more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Today Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states.

🎥 Tree Talk

Have you seen any of our great

“Tree Talk with the Tree Guys” videos? We’re fond of this one:

Tree Guys on Arbor Day 2021

Bonding, Bubbles, and Box Breathing:

Employee Wellness Retreat

In March, GWL staff participated in a health and wellness retreat facilitated by Elizabeth Delgado, owner of local wellness organization, Colectiva Wellness & Healing. This retreat helped staff identify and implement techniques for self-care that can be practiced in and outside of the office. Together staff meditated, flexed our yoga muscles, laughed, and engaged in pressing conversations around self care and organizational care. Organizational care can be defined (to an employee), as organizational support around how a company expresses care for its staff. It asks employers to think about how it looks after and provides for the needs of employees. During our retreat, staff designed organizational wellness plans and each person received their own “swag bag” full of aromatherapy products, yoga mat, play-doh for sensory support, and even bubbles to remind us to take intentional breaths throughout the day to help relieve stress. It is a humble reminder to slow down and take moments of care and rest (even at work). We rest so we can continue to show up for the people that make our work worthwhile and rewarding.

As One Season Rolls Into The Other:

Enjoy Our Winter Farmer’s Market

Our Farmer’s Markets are an integral part of our community. The markets serve as a welcoming place to shop for fresh produce and locally sourced foods all year round. Our LAST winter markets of the season will be April 22nd and May 13th, and can be found at our offices at 50 Island Street Entrance B from 10am-4pm. Join us, your neighbors, and future friends in supporting local farmers and producers.

Can't make it? Don't worry! Keep an eye out for news of our summer farmer's markets beginning in a few short weeks!

We Accept / Aceptamos

Cash, Debit, Credit, EBT/SNAP/Food Stamps, HIP, WIC, Senior Coupons, and Holy Family Hospital Farmers Market Voucher.

Interested in being a vendor at one of our markets?

Since 2016 our four markets combined reached over 100,000 customers, and in 2022 we had a total of $616,461 in sales. Check out our guidelines and application form and contact Maria to get involved!

Mapping Our Communities:

The Food System Partnership Continues

In 2020, Feeding America estimated 73,630 individuals were suffering from food insecurity in Essex County. Groundwork Lawrence partnering with Lawrence General Hospital, and Merrimack College, helped bring over 30 participating organizations (community-based, corporate, and municipal) together across Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen, and North Andover. This Merrimack Valley Food System Resiliency Partnership addresses food security and its social, cultural, and political causes and consequences.

On April 3rd, the Food System Resilience Partnership (FSRP) was joined by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) to brainstorm and create food system maps to detail food access points across Lawrence and neighboring towns in the Merrimack Valley. About 18 members of the partnership participated, representing different municipalities, organizations, and government agencies. The maps of food access locations in Lawrence, Andover, N. Andover, Haverhill, and Methuen will be a resource not only for agencies to use to help clients connect to food sources but will also be developed as a way for residents to access food resources on their smartphone or computer.

Groundwork Lawrence thanks Essex County Community Foundation for their support through the ECCF Food Systems Resiliency Partnership Grants.

Changing Systems:

Resources on Environmental Justice

We love our large network of partners, supporters, and residents that make up our GWL family. This April we wanted to inspire the little ones in our lives with a picture book about the incredible story of Wangari Maatha.

Wangari Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her efforts to lead women in a nonviolent struggle to bring peace and democracy to Africa through reforestation. Her organization planted over thirty million trees in thirty years.

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