Newsletter

Sustainable Pinehills     The Monthly News     April 2025


What we’ve been up to…

Wow…what a month!  The Executive Committee has been busy planning and collaborating on a whole bunch of programs and events that bring people together, help support our environment, and celebrate the beauty of our community.  You’ll read about many of them in this newsletter, but please also check our website for updates.


This is the month we celebrate Earth Day!  Or, better yet, Earth Week in Plymouth (Earth Day started in 1970 - learn about its fascinating history here). The festivities begin on Saturday, 4/19 at Redbrook, and culminate with the Herring Festival at Jenny Brook and Sustainable Plymouth’s Hour of Action on 4/26.  


We want to encourage everyone to participate in taking action over the course of the month (because what feels better than that?!) by offering our Pinehills community a fun challenge.  See how many activities you can complete by the end of the month and enter your checklist into our raffle!  You could win a 6 month subscription to Black Earth Compost, a Market gift certificate, or native plant from Morrison’s Garden Center.  Remember to take and share your pics!  Learn more about Earth Day events and activities here.

  


Love birds? Join us on May 2nd!

Come to the Cabana on May 2nd to learn all about our native bird populations in Massachusetts, and what we can do to help them thrive!  This program is presented by Massachusetts Audubon and brought to you by Sustainable Pinehills.  Learn more here.  



Be part of it!  The Clean Up Crew, that is…

Join The Pinehills Clean-Up Crew during Plymouth’s town-wide Cleanup Day on May 3rd, and share the fun and satisfaction of doing a good deed for our Pinehills Community and the Town of Plymouth.  All supplies provided.



Sustainable Pinehills Book Club’s next read…

is Abundance, by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. We'll meet on April 15th at 2:30pm to discuss this compelling critique of our partisan politics, as well as the authors’ optimistic vision for a more abundant future for all.  Reach out to klirosi@gmail.com if you'd like to join us!


Turning garbage into gold (for your garden!)

Composting is one of the best things you can do to reduce waste and help fight climate change - all while enriching your garden soil!  


South Shore Recycling Cooperative is offering low cost composting bins for a limited time.  Order yours here.


If you don’t want to compost at home, you can learn about composting service in The Pinehills here.



Listen, Watch, Learn

As the days get longer and warmer, most of us spend more time outdoors.  There are proven mental and physical benefits to being in nature, and we are so lucky to live in such a beautiful natural environment.


Learn about the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku - forest bathing in English.


Watch this video or read this article on the benefits of earthing (literally walking barefoot on the ground!)


Listen to researcher Dachner Keltner talk about the primary experience of awe in human life — moments, often found in nature, when we have a sense of wonder, an experience of mystery, that transcends our understanding. 


However you may venture out, this is a glorious month to reconnect with - and feel gratitude for - our natural surroundings!



That’s it for this month!  As always, please reach out with your comments, questions and suggestions for making our community healthier and happier.


Don’t forget to visit the Sustainable Pinehills website for more great news and information about sustainable living at The Pinehills!