Swampscott boards and local organizations set up tents on the Town Hall Lawn Saturday for the annual Earth Fest, giving residents a chance to explore community resources and learn how their actions affect the environment.
The Swampscott Tree Committee handed out American plum trees, funded through the Swampscott Conservancy. The plant, also called the wild plum, is a small understory tree with fragrant white flowers. It’s native to the area, according to Chair Richard Frenkel.
“It has flowers. The insects love it,” Frenkel said. “It’s feeding the wildlife.”
The Conservancy also hosted a table, where members handed out “No Mow May” signs supporting efforts to delay lawn cleanup until creatures have left their winter dwellings. They also displayed owl homes made by Swampscott Middle School students and bat houses created by Swampscott High School engineering students.
The group partnered with the Northeastern Marine Science Center to showcase animals and educate visitors about eelgrass, a flowering plant that lives underwater and produces pollen and seeds. Eelgrass serves as a nursery, habitat and feeding ground for animals like fish, crabs and lobsters. It has also been recognized as a powerful carbon storage system, which the Swampscott Conservancy notes is “critical, especially with a changing climate.”
“It’s a fun event,” said Chair Toni Bandrowicz. “It gets the kids involved with nature, because they don’t get out as much as they did when I was a kid.”
Also focusing on the town’s impact on animals, Deb Newman represented Speak Up for Animals. She highlighted her recent work with the Department of Public Works to protect ducklings and goslings at Foster’s Pond using a temporary seasonal fence.
“That was a very big success for me because it’s very local,” Newman said.
The Swampscott Rail Trail group was also looking to make a local impact, selling bike lights, bells and T-shirts with the trail logo. A bike repair station was also set up at the table.
After a 2017 Town Meeting vote, planning and design began. In 2021, the first two sections of the Rail Trail – from the Marblehead town line to Bradlee Avenue – were completed. Additional construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2029. Once finished, the trail will run nearly two miles, from Stetson Avenue to the existing Marblehead Rail Trail.
Rail Trail volunteers answered questions at Earth Fest about the project timeline and the importance of the walking path.
“We’re working through this…One of my goals is to complete the Rail Trail,” said Jonathan Leamon. “It’s heavily used.”
A Rail Trail workday is scheduled for May 30.
The Community Preservation Committee will also host an upcoming event: a public conversation on how the town should prioritize new funding, set for Tuesday, June 2, at 6 p.m.
The Solid Waste Committee staffed a table to answer questions, particularly about an upcoming trash and recycling contract discussion. Members also emphasized the importance of composting. Member Alix Smullin displayed a photo of trash – mostly food waste – strewn across a street earlier in the week.
“Even if people don’t feel motivated by it econologically or anything like that, the pure cost of paying to have our food waste picked up is worth it,” Smullin said. “It’s something like 30% of our waste is food materials.”
Resilient Swampscott demonstrated the impact of individual actions through hands-on activities.
Hannah Cloud Sharpless hosted a table featuring items collected from local and regional beaches.
“It’s a way to highlight the variety of things that can wash up on our beaches,” Sharpless said, adding that she allows visitors to her table to build with the items to get a real picture of the impact.
Eternals Lion Dance performed around 11:30 a.m., with dragons dancing among children and showcasing their centuries-old acrobatic tradition. Grab the Bagel also sold bagels, spreads and cookies.
Big Blue Bargains showcased its offerings, from clothing to toys.
“Earth Fest is closely aligned with Big Blue Bargains’ mission of keeping things out of landfills,” said Laura Lynn. “We’re happy to be a part of the sustainability initiatives in town.”
