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Textiles Untangled - Hyde Park

Textiles are everywhere! They’re In our clothing, furniture, toys and even computers! But what exactly are textiles made from? How far do clothes travel before we buy them?

October 5, 2024
2024-10-05T10:00:00 - 2024-10-05T12:30:00

Join Hyde Park Branch Library and Boston’s Zero Waste Team as we guide participants through an interactive workshop to discover the lifecycle of a piece of clothing.

This program is for adults and teens.

Registration is required. To register, please call: 617-361-2524.

This workshop is inspired by the pedagogy of the Climate Fresk (an interactive workshop that teaches the IPCC Climate report). Launched in 2021, Textiles UnTangled was created by Green Donut. 

October 5, 2024
2024-10-05T10:00:00 - 2024-10-05T12:30:00
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Free Compost Giveaway

Come get free, finished compost on Thursday, October 10, from 4 p.m.  to 6 p.m., or while supplies last!

October 10, 2024
2024-10-10T16:00:00 - 2024-10-10T18:00:00
Free finished compost alert!
  • Bring any container, paper bag, tupperware, bin, etc. and fill it with nutrient-rich compost for your garden!
  • Compost processed and donated by Save that Stuff and Garbage to Garden!
  • First come first served.
  • Proof of Boston residency required.
  • If it rains, the event will be canceled. Check website on October 10 for cancelation updates.
  • Can't make it on October 10? Join us on September 26, in Brighton, or on October 3, in Jamaica Plain for additional compost giveaways. 
October 10, 2024
2024-10-10T16:00:00 - 2024-10-10T18:00:00

Translations

Spanish Flyer
Portuguese Flyer
Traditional Chinese
Haitian Creole Flyer
Russian Flyer
English Flyer
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Free Compost Giveaway

Come get free, finished compost on Thursday, October 3, from 4 p.m.  to 6 p.m. or while supplies last!

October 3, 2024
2024-10-03T16:00:00 - 2024-10-03T18:00:00
Free finished compost alert!
  • Bring any container, paper bag, Tupperware, bin, etc. and fill it with nutrient-rich compost for your garden!
  • Compost processed and donated by Save that Stuff and Garbage to Garden!
  • First come, first served.
  • Proof of Boston residency required.
  • If it rains, the event will be canceled. Check website on October 3 for cancelation updates.
  • Can't make it on October 3rd? Join us on September 26th in Brighton, or on October 10, in East Boston for additional compost giveaways. 
October 3, 2024
2024-10-03T16:00:00 - 2024-10-03T18:00:00

Translations

Spanish Flyer
Russian Flyer
Haitian Creole Flyer
Portuguese Flyer
Traditional Chinese Flyer
English Flyer
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WEBINAR: BERDO Compliance for Condominium Associations

September 25, 2024
2024-09-25T18:00:00 - 2024-09-25T20:00:00

The City of Boston’s Environment Department and Marcus Errico Emmer & Brooks, P.C. invite you to attend a webinar dedicated to condominium (condo) associations subject to Boston’s Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO).

BERDO sets requirements for large existing buildings in Boston to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions over time. While BERDO covers all types of buildings, the condominium ownership structure is unique and creates distinctive challenges when complying with BERDO. 

This event will: 

  • Provide an overview of BERDO compliance obligations for condo associations and 
  • Share  best practices to help  condo associations, property managers, and unit owners comply with BERDO emissions standards and understand who is responsible for building improvements and costs.

At this event, the Environment Department will also announce the release of the new BERDO Compliance Handbook for Condo Associations.

This event will be held virtually over Zoom on Wednesday, September 25 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., including a time dedicated to Q&A.

Please register to attenD HERE

 

Notice of Accommodations: Interpretation, translation, and disability accommodation services are available to you at no cost. If you need them, please contact us at energyreporting@boston.gov  or at 617-635-3850 x5.

September 25, 2024
2024-09-25T18:00:00 - 2024-09-25T20:00:00
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Urban Agriculture and Climate Justice Fair

Join us for a day of celebrating and learning about urban agriculture and climate justice work across Boston!

September 28, 2024
2024-09-28T11:00:25 - 2024-09-28T15:00:25

This fair will have climate justice related activities and games and hands-on demos, like apple cider pressing and pickling. Enjoy food from Fresh Food Generation, music by Tjovi Ginen and fresh produce sold from local urban farms. Submit your most impressive harvests to our urban vegetable competition and win a prize! Fun and learning for all ages. Free & Welcome to all.

Hosted by a coalition of organizations including: Mothers out Front, Save the Harbor Save the Bay, The Food Project, Bowdoin St Health Center, Resonant Energy, Grow Boston, Extinction Rebellion, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corp, ABCD, Dorchester Food Coop, Agriculture Hall, Boston Area Beekeepers, and more. 

Harvest Competition Details:

Please bring your submissions by 10:30 a.m.

Bring produce from community gardens, urban home gardens, and urban farms to the fair this fall! Win prizes in each category listed below.

  • Preserved Foods (canned, fermented and pickled foods)
  • Fruits and Berries
  • Flowers and Herbs (bouquet)
  • Honey
  • Oddly Shaped Vegetable
  • General Produce

  • Junior Category

Registration Page: Urban Agriculture & Climate Fair - The Trustees of Reservations

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/CukekH5Z5mEFykYW/

September 28, 2024
2024-09-28T11:00:25 - 2024-09-28T15:00:25
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Grove Hall Fix It Clinic

The City of Boston hosts Fix-It Clinics at several branch locations of the Boston Public Library. A Fix-It Clinic is a free event where Boston residents can bring their broken household items for repair. Our volunteers are patient and knowledgeable, so in addition to saving old objects from the trash you might even learn some new handy skills (or if you prefer to sit back and watch the masters work, that's OK too)!

September 14, 2024
  • 12:00pm - 3:00pm
  • 41 Geneva Ave
    Dorchester, MA 02121
  • Contact:
    Daniella LeBlanc
  • send an email
  • Price:
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Dorchester
  • Event Type:
    Environment and green living
  • Posted:
2024-09-14T12:00:00 - 2024-09-14T15:00:00

Acceptable items include:

  • clothing and fabric
  • computers and phones
  • toys and wooden items
  • kitchen equipment
  • small electrical devices
  • jewelry, and
  • more!

To volunteer as a fixer, sign up here. 

September 14, 2024
  • 12:00pm - 3:00pm
  • 41 Geneva Ave
    Dorchester, MA 02121
  • Contact:
    Daniella LeBlanc
  • send an email
  • Price:
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Dorchester
  • Event Type:
    Environment and green living
  • Posted:
2024-09-14T12:00:00 - 2024-09-14T15:00:00
Last updated:

Deployables Day

A citywide training exercise on temporary flood protection.

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September 27, 2024
2024-09-27T10:00:00 - 2024-09-27T15:00:00

Join us for the first annual Deployables Day, a citywide training exercise on temporary flood protection

Boston is among the most vulnerable cities in the country to flooding. As sea levels rise, damaging floods will shift from a rare occurrence to a common reality.

September 27, 2024 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Experience deployable flood barriers at City Hall Plaza. 

Learn about the City’s flood protection measures, ways to stay safe during a flood, and whether a deployable is right for you at Faneuil Hall. 

Visit deployable flood barriers across the city.

Explore how the City is being protected from flooding and what you can do to stay safe.

September 27, 2024
2024-09-27T10:00:00 - 2024-09-27T15:00:00
Join the Walking Tour
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Chief Climate Officer Brian Swett and Chris Osgood, Director of Climate Resilience, will be leading a Downtown walking tour of deployable flood barriers. This walking tour will begin at 12 pm outside of the Congress St entrance of City Hall

Maps and Wayfinding

Contact: Environment

Deployables Day Event Map

Explore resources of Vendors, City Departments and Partners

Deployables Demonstration Map

Experience a Flood Deployable Demonstration

What is a deployable flood barrier?

A deployable is a flood barrier system that is put into place before or during a flood, and then taken down after the flood has passed. Deployable flood barriers can be more effective than traditional temporary barrier methods, such as sandbags, and can be quickly deployed with minimal setup time. 

What does a deployable look like?

A deployable flood barrier is constructed from textile-based materials and metal posts that reside in a small container and are manually deployed. The supporting wall can belong to surrounding buildings or short to close-off doorways. The design is scalable to accommodate a range of water heights and layouts

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

How do I apply for a permit to install a deployable flood barrier?

Retrofitting your building with a deployable flood barrier will require an ALT Permit with the Inspectional Services Department.

If your proposed flood barrier is not completely contained within your privately-owned land parcel, you will need to apply for a Specific Repairs license from the City’s Public Improvement Commission. This requires several steps:

  1. Reach out to the Office of Emergency Management at OEM@BOSTON.GOV for input on how to incorporate your proposed flood barrier into existing emergency planning efforts in your area.
  2. Engage a building engineer to create engineered plans for your proposed barrier based on an existing conditions report which establishes property lines, building edges and sidewalk composition.)
  3. Reach out to the  Public Improvement Commission at PIC@BOSTON.GOV to notify the Commission of your interest in applying for license
  4. With PIC’s approval, submit your request for a Public Hearing on your proposed project.

How do I know when to put up my deployable flood barrier?

  1. For liability reasons, the City does not provide specific guidance on when to deploy privately-owned barriers. You can reference the Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines and  Zoning Viewer for new construction and building retrofits to understand more about flood risk at your specific building’s elevation. 
  2. Best practice is to maintain a regularly-updated standard operating procedure (SOP) for when and how to deploy your flood barrier. Some factors to consider when creating an SOP include how long it takes to install, accessibility of entrances and exits when the barrier is deployed, and systems of notification for the building’s occupants
FAQ- For Building Owners

My building has a deployable flood barrier, how can I make sure it’s in compliance with City requirements and regulations?

Once installed, deployable flood barriers must be registered with the Office of Emergency Management via the Deployable Flood Barrier Registration Form. Building owners are responsible for keeping their registration information up to date

My building does not have a deployable flood barrier, how can I learn more about whether one is needed?

If you're a private building owner in Boston looking to assess whether a deployable flood barrier is suitable for your property, the City’s Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines can provide valuable insights. Here’s a step-by-step approach to using these guidelines effectively:

  1. Assess your flood risk: The Coastal Flood Resilience Overlay District (CFROD) includes areas of the City of Boston anticipated to be flooded with a 1% chance storm event in 2070 with 40-inches of sea level rise. You can determine whether or not your building is in the CFROD by consulting the Zoning Viewer.
  2. Evaluate Building Vulnerabilities: Identify the specific vulnerabilities of your building. This includes the potential entry points for floodwaters (such as doors, windows, and garage openings) and the critical areas that need protection.
  3. Review Recommended Protection Measures: The City’s guidelines outline various floodproofing strategies based on different flood scenarios and building floor elevations.
  4. Consult with Experts: Engage with an architect or building engineer who can help assess your building’s specific needs based on the guidelines. They can offer recommendations on the most effective deployable barrier systems and ensure that the chosen solution aligns with both the guidelines and your building’s requirements.
  5. Review Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that the deployable barriers you consider meet local regulations and standards for flood protection. (See: How do I apply for a permit to install a deployable flood barrier? below)
  6. Plan for Integration: If deployable barriers are suitable, plan how they will be integrated into your building's flood preparedness strategy. This includes training for staff or occupants on deployment procedures and ensuring that the barriers are readily accessible when needed.

What types of deployable flood barriers exist?

 

Deployable flood barriers come in various types, each designed for different scenarios and levels of flood risk. Here’s a rundown of some common types:

  1. Inflatable Barriers: These are quick to deploy and typically consist of large, inflatable tubes that can be rapidly filled with air or water to form a barrier. They are often used in temporary or emergency situations.
  2. Modular Barriers: These systems consist of interlocking units that can be assembled to create a barrier of the desired length and height. They can be made from materials like plastic, metal, or composite materials and are useful for both temporary and semi-permanent installations.
  3. Hydraulic Barriers: These barriers use water pressure to create a seal. They typically consist of a flexible membrane supported by water-filled bladders or other hydraulic mechanisms. They can be effective for longer-term solutions and can adapt to various flood depths.
  4. Barrier Walls: These are often made from materials like concrete, metal, or reinforced plastic and can be erected or dismantled as needed. They can be either permanent or deployable.
  5. Sandbags and Water-filled Barriers: Traditional sandbags are still commonly used, though they are labor-intensive to deploy. Water-filled barriers are similar but use water instead of sand, offering quicker setup and removal.
  6. Rolling Barriers: These are large, roll-up barriers that can be unrolled and placed across an area to form a flood barrier. They are typically made from durable materials like heavy-duty fabrics or polymers and are often used for large-scale protection.
  7. Fabric and Composite Barriers: These barriers use advanced fabrics or composite materials to create a deployable barrier. They are often lightweight and designed for quick deployment and storage.
  8. Gates and Shields: These barriers can be deployed across doorways, driveways, or other openings. They are often used in combination with other types of barriers for added protection.

How do I talk to my building owner or super about deployable flood barriers?

If you are a tenant in a flood-prone building and aren't sure if your building manager or owner knows about flood deployables, share this page with them! It features a FAQ for property managers and owners to help them assess if a deployable flood barrier is right for their property.

 

 

  •  

How can I stay safe during a flood?

  1. Check out the Office of Emergency Management’s Tips for Dealing with a Flood. 
  2. Sign up for emergency notifications through AlertBoston.
  3. Know your zone! Know your hurricane evacuation zone and route and be prepared to evacuate if directed by public officials.
  4. Find out how vulnerable your home is to flooding and, if your home is in a flood-prone area, contact the National Flood Insurance program to learn what mitigation measures you can take in advance.
  5. If you live in a flood-prone area, keep these materials on hand: sandbags, plywood, lumber, plastic sheeting, trash bags, shovels, work boots, and gloves.
  6. Put together a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, first aid supplies, copies of critical information, and non-perishable food items.

 

Emergency Preparedness Resources

Climate Resilience in Boston

Boston is taking action to adapt to and prepare for the impacts of climate change

Tips for dealing with a flood

We coordinate Emergency Management, Emergency Preparedness, and Homeland Security Planning for the City of Boston

Alert Boston

Sign up for emergency alerts
Have Questions?
/
email us at environment@boston.gov
Last updated:

Fix-It Clinic

Avoid the trash and bring your household items for free repair.

October 5, 2024
2024-10-05T11:00:00 - 2024-10-05T14:00:00

The City of Boston hosts Fix-It Clinics at several branch locations of the Boston Public Library. A Fix-It Clinic is a free event where Boston residents can bring their broken household items for repair. Our volunteers are patient and knowledgeable, so in addition to saving old objects from the trash you might even learn some new handy skills (or if you prefer to sit back and watch the masters work, that's OK too)!

Acceptable items include:

  • clothing and fabric
  • computers and phones
  • toys and wooden items
  • kitchen equipment
  • small electrical devices
  • jewelry, and
  • much more!

To volunteer as a fixer, sign up here. 

October 5, 2024
2024-10-05T11:00:00 - 2024-10-05T14:00:00
Last updated:

JFK/UMass Station Area Action Plan Open House

Review draft recommendations for the JFK/UMass Station Area Action Plan!

July 18, 2024
2024-07-18T18:00:00 - 2024-07-18T20:00:00

We need your input to help guide the plan for the JFK/UMass Station Area! We're looking forward to speaking with you again after our first outreach period in 2023. Since the last open house, we have been developing improvement ideas to address challenges and opportunities identified by the community and working with City and MBTA departments to refine ideas into draft recommendations to achieve the vision for the JFK/UMass Station Area.

We are now asking for community feedback on draft recommendations for the project area!

Community members can visit the interactive stations at their own pace to learn more about the plan and to share their thoughts on the proposed short-term, mid-term, and long-term visions for the station area.

We look forward to speaking with you about your vision for the future of the JFK/UMass Station Area. Interpretation will be available in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, and Cape Verdean Creole.

July 18, 2024
2024-07-18T18:00:00 - 2024-07-18T20:00:00
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Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild Summer Serve and Learn

Join the Roslindale Wetlands Taskforce and the Urban Wilds Program in this summer's Serve and Learn event!

July 13, 2024
2024-07-13T08:00:00 - 2024-07-13T11:00:00

A Serve and Learn event is a special chance for community members to learn about wildlife, plants, and how we can care for our natural world. Not only can people "learn" through these events, but they can also put their newfound knowledge to work during the "serve" portion.

During the "learn" portion, we will focus on plant health care with an emphasis on environmental pressures including pest damage, storm damage, and weeds that may compete for nutrients.

During the "serve" portion, we will implement best plant health care practices. Our tasks may include weeding, watering, adding mulch, and pruning off any branches damaged by storm events.

No experience necessary! Urban Wilds staff will provide tools and instruction, but we recommend you bring water, bug spray, and sunscreen.

 Register

Rain Date:  Sunday July 14, 8 - 11 a.m.

July 13, 2024
2024-07-13T08:00:00 - 2024-07-13T11:00:00
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