City of Cambridge
Community Development Department
The mission of the Community Development Department (CDD) is to enhance the character and diversity of the city’s neighborhoods and support sustainable economic growth that expands opportunities for residents, enables a high quality of life within the community, and contributes to a healthy environment.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Through its Cambridge Energy Alliance program, the City helps residents and small businesses reduce energy consumption by implementing energy efficiency measures and investing in clean or renewable energy technologies. Large Businesses can learn about the City’s energy requirements for LEED, energy disclosure and net zero energy planning.
No-Cost Home Energy Assessments! Get a no-cost home energy assessment ONLINE! These assessments are completely remote and can result in a free home delivery of instant savings measures like LED light bulbs, smart power strips, low flow shower heads, and can include identification larger improvements like free home insulation and more efficient heating systems.
https://bit.ly/3bR6nP9
Check out the Cambridge Solar Map! Discover your solar potential by checking out this REALLY cool solar map. You can look at any building in Cambridge and discover how much solar power you may be able to generate there. Check out your building’s solar potential today!
https://bit.ly/2AiyGbY
Sustainable Transportation
Bluebikes Discounts available: Did you know that the Bluebikes bike share system is owned jointly by the municipalities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Everett, and Somerville? It IS! Learn about one of our discount programs today!
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Income-Eligible Program: Learn more about how you can become a member of the Income-Eligible Bluebikes Program here:
http://bit.ly/2th3L9n
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Cambridge High School Youth Discount: Discounted Bluebikes memberships are available for Cambridge high school students ages 16-19. These annual memberships are $25 per year! Email
jlawrence@cambridgema.gov for more information.
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Hospital Workers Program: We are offering a program to give hospital workers free 30-day bikeshare membership. Eligible hospital workers can sign up through their employer to access unlimited 45-minute trips on our bikes for 30 days. If you are a healthcare worker, and want to participate in the program find your hospital’s information here:
https://bit.ly/2XbBSPC
Take a look at the first ever winner of the Bluebikes Unicorn Youth Design Contest!
We are pleased to announce the winners of the Bluebikes Unicorn Bike Contest for Cambridge High School Students!
Winning Design: Alba Cruz-Pimentel, CRLS
Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3gzobSf
Safe Routes to School
The goal of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is to increase the number of students who get to and from school by walking or biking. In Physical Education classes each year, second grade students in Cambridge complete a unit on pedestrian education as part of the National Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program. The unit introduces concepts around smart safety when walking and bicycling to support students, when feasible, in choosing active transportation (walking, biking, non-motorized scooters, etc.), particularly when going to and from school. The Community Development Department has compiled some focus points and tips that you may use when you are out walking to help your 2nd grader complete the pedestrian education unit. While the concepts and skills we use when walking around Cambridge are intuitive to many adults, this curriculum is a good refresher for us all!
Learn more about the Safe Routes to School Program here:
cambridgema.gov/saferoutes
• Do a lesson from our
Safe Routes to School 2nd grade pedestrian curriculum from home today!
• Interested in learning more about helmets and signals while biking? Take one of our lessons from the 6th grade training, hosted by our partners at MassBike!
https://bit.ly/2U3c2M2
• Or how about learning the basics of getting ready to bike? Learn all about the Air, Brakes, and Chain with MassBike!
https://bit.ly/3gJd09N
Cambridge Arts Council & Community Development Department
A project managed by Cambridge Arts in collaboration with artists and the Community Development Department.
Artists have been addressing environmental issues for many generations, but now, with greater urgency, we are seeing a surge of activism. Around the world artists are bringing attention to global warming, alerting us to a multitude of impacts it has on our lives, and prompting individual and collective action to reduce and prepare for the consequences of human activities that are accelerating climate change, consequences that have implications for nature and society. Recognizing that the people studying climate change every day are having a hard time getting their message to the public, we present here some examples of how local artists transmit and transform scientific information into a communicative medium unmatched by any website or publication. These examples of proposed and realized projects engage the public through multiples senses, materials, and formats.
Untold Possibilities at the Last Minute reflects the complexity and inter-disciplinary nature of climate change as a topic. However, one might think about the array of impacts and responses through two primary categories: the physical and the social implications.
Cambridge Police Department
What’s a green roof?
From our friends at greenroofs.org: A green roof system is an extension of the existing roof that involves water-proofing, root repellent, drainage, filter cloth, a lightweight growing medium, and plants. Green roof systems may be modular, could be below, at, or above grade, and in all cases it exists separate from the ground. Green roofs can provide a wide range of public and private benefits and have been successfully installed in countries around the world. Some of the benefits include stormwater management, moderation of the urban heat island effect, improved air quality, and energy efficiency, to name a few!
Are there any in Cambridge?
Yes! In fact, we have one on the Cambridge Police Department. Our friends at CPD took a tour of the roof, just for the Stream Festival, and made these two videos for you! Check ‘em out to see what’s growing above our heads.
• https://bit.ly/CPDGreenroof2020
• https://bit.ly/CPDGreenRoof
• Learn more about what the City of Cambridge is doing with its municipal buildings! https://bit.ly/2SQmqGl
• Learn more about some of the federal buildings with green roofs, including the General Services Administration! https://bit.ly/3bibZS2
• And visit this site to see how the National Parks Service has added green roofs to historic sites to increase their efficiency! https://bit.ly/2YMebyA
Cambridge Public Library
The Hope Storytelling Project, a virtual poetry workshop series.
The Hope Storytelling Project at the Cambridge Public Library is a virtual series of 5 bi-weekly poetry workshops discussing the theme of hope. This program is hosted and taught by Harvard Students David Xiang and Alisha Yi. No prior experience in poetry needed to participate. Everyone is welcome! For any questions please contact David Xiang at
dxiang@college.harvard.edu. The next workshop takes place on June 10!
Stormwater Management Division
About Stormwater Management
Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt flows over land and does not soak into the ground. As runoff flows over impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops), it accumulates debris, oil, pet waste, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants that could adversely affect the quality of nearby waterways if untreated. Stormwater management is a combination of engineering, construction, site maintenance and public outreach efforts to address runoff quality and quantity. Structural controls such as pipes, catch basins, and grit chambers are used to control both the quantity and rate of stormwater runoff and the quality of stormwater discharged to water bodies. Non-structural controls such as water quality monitoring, vegetative swales, public education, and policies relative to pest management, fertilization and construction erosion control are also important.
What happens when it rains?
Learn how the City of Cambridge’s stormwater management protects local waterways: https://www.cambridgema.gov/stormwater
Learn about how the creation of the Alewife stormwater wetland along with the construction of new sewer and rain water separation reduced pollution Boston harbor and other local waterways:
https://www.cambridgema.gov/news/2014/07/alewifestormwaterwetlandprojectnamedpublicworksprojectoftheyear
Learn more about what you can do to help reduce stormwater pollution: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/publicworks/Initiatives/stormwatermanagement/Residents
Learn about water pollution in our communities and what can be done to reduce pollution via this video from the City of Cambridge and the Mystic River Watershed Association.
Department of Public Works, Community Development, and Cambridge Public Schools
Go Green Challenge
During Earth Month, we created a series of actions that you can take as a family to reduce your environmental impact. These activities were created for 1-3 graders, and there are a few for older students, too!
https://bit.ly/2WfP98o
Floodviewer interactive flood map
The Floodviewer has been developed as an informational tool for the Cambridge community to assess climate change threats from flooding and to prepare for it by implementing specific strategies. Learn more about climate change-related flooding in your neighborhood today! https://bit.ly/3gtMzEZ. You can learn more about the Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience Plan here: https://bit.ly/2zFamRF.
Department of Public Works Recycling Division
Recycle Tip: Which Number Plastics Are Recyclable Curbside?
Actually, the number on the plastic is not a good tool for determining if the plastic can go in the recycling bin. To determine if you can recycle the plastic item, it has to meet two criteria:
It’s rigid.
t’s a container, i.e. bottles, yogurt cups, spinach boxes, laundry detergent bottles, etc. Leave lids on for all containers.
If both of these criteria are met, put it in curbside recycling. The "rigid and container" rule is the best rule of thumb, not the numbers on plastics. Some larger plastics like laundry baskets or your old trash can are also recyclable curbside. This is why plastic utensils and plastic hangers are not recyclable; they aren’t a container. Plastic bags aren't rigid so are not recyclable curbside. Plastic film gets tangled in sorting machines at the processing facility, creating costly damage and safety issues for workers. Plastic film may be recycled at plastic bag drop off locations. Learn more about which plastic bags and films are accepted here.
https://bit.ly/36sSbeh
Reduce Tip: Buy in Bulk.
Buying in bulk can reduce packaging - opt for the largest size you'll use. For example, instead of buying 12 single-packaged apple sauces, buy one large container and pack in reusable containers. Our friends at "Recycle by City" shared this great infographic to visualize this .
https://bit.ly/2Xbtmiy
To get more Tips of the Month, as well as useful service info, and interesting articles - sign up for the monthly Recycling newsletter here:
https://bit.ly/2ZlwhYz
Want to learn more? Check out one of our videos and learn how to reduce your waste!
• Get Rid of It Right - Recycling is Easy!
https://bit.ly/2zggoYW
• Get Rid of It Right - by Composting!
https://bit.ly/36eZOVt
• The Works - Waste Collection 2019:
https://bit.ly/2zfNacF
• Recycle Right PSA:
https://bit.ly/2ToCMGa
• Cambridge Students Get Rid of It Right:
https://bit.ly/2XebDXP
Cambridge Public Health Department
Climate Change and Health
Climate change isn't just bad for the environment—it's bad for our health. Exposure to extreme temperatures can result in heat-related illness and worsening of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes.
Flooding caused by severe storms can spread disease and contaminate food and water supplies. Rising temperatures and other factors associated with climate change will increase our exposure to disease-carrying insects and rodents.
Watch this great video about the impact of climate change on health in The Port.
https://bit.ly/2XD7DjF
Cambridge Water Department
Fresh Pond: A Frog’s Journey
Join Ranger Tim on an adventure through Fresh Pond Reservation in Cambridge where we will observe the amphibian life cycle up close. The Cambridge Water Department manages and protects many wetlands and the wildlife that call them home.