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- Christine Blais
Director of Sustainability and Environment
cblais@somervillema.gov
Cell: 781-296-7194
617-625-6600 ext. 2422 - Erik Larson
Energy Manager
elarson@somervillema.gov
Cell: 617-366-7286
617-625-6600 ext. 2424 - Emily Sullivan
Climate Change Program Manager
esullivan@somervillema.gov
Cell: 781-823-9248
617-625-6600 ext. 2426 - Elyse Belarge
Sustainability Planner
ebelarge@somervillema.gov
Cell: 781-823-9332
617-625-6600 ext. 2427 - Julia Damiano
Environmental Policy Manager
jdamiano@somervillema.gov
617-625-6600 ext. 5070 - Naomi Gross
Community Engagement Specialist
ngross@somervillema.gov
617-625-6600 ext. 2425
Cell: 857-274-2463 - Kathy Cole
Financial Analyst
kcole@somervillema.gov
617-625-6600 ext. 2428 - Garrett Anderson
Residential Decarbonization Program Manager
ganderson@somervillema.gov
857-270-4403 - Josh Eckart-Lee
Sustainability Planner
jeckartlee@somervillema.gov
617-625-6600 ext. 2421
The OSE team works remotely from time to time, so please call their cell phones if you are unable to reach them at their office extensions.
Hours
Monday - Wednesday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.Friday
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Email
Address
City Hall Annex
50 Evergreen Ave.
Somerville, MA 02145 - Christine Blais
Natural Resources & Waste
Somerville relies on its limited natural resources to reduce local heat, absorb stormwater, filter pollutants, and support urban wildlife. As climate change turns up the heat, increases flooding, and threatens biodiversity, the City is looking to enhance natural resources and waste management practices to make Somerville a healthier, safer place to live.
Natural Resources & Waste is a key focus area in Somerville’s Climate Forward Plan. The Plan lays out the actions our community will take to practice smart use of resources by protecting and enhancing trees and natural resources, decreasing consumption, and enhancing opportunities for recycling, recovery, and reuse of materials.
Managing stormwater effectively after rainstorms prevents trash and pollution from contaminating our local waterways. It also makes our community more resilient during flooding events.
The City is making substantial systemwide investments to modernize its sewer and stormwater infrastructure. For example, the Morrison Ave project will install new drainage infrastructure and rehabilitate the existing sewer system. This project will reduce flood risk in the surrounding area and help maintain the water quality of local rivers.
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The City of Somerville maintains over 12,000 public trees! Every year, Somerville plants hundreds of new trees around the City.
Additionally, the City passed a Native Planting Ordinance. It requires 50% of new street trees planted by the City to be native species. Native species use less water, grow well, and better support local wildlife.
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Spring 2023 Tree Planting Map
The City of Somerville planted 185 trees during the Spring 2023 Planting Season. The map to the right shows details about the placement and species of these trees.
Check out the City of Somerville’s Public Space and Urban Forestry page to learn more.
Urban Forest Management Plan
The Public Space and Urban Forestry Division (PSUF) completed its Urban Forest Management Plan that provides a data-driven plan and set of goals to maintain Somerville’s forest over the next 5-10 years. Read the Plan!
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Textile Recycling
Did you know your old clothes can be recycled? The City offers free clothing recycling pickups. (Do not place these items in your blue recycling bin.) Rather, you may schedule pickups of clothing, shoes, and accessories. Your items will either be sorted for reuse (if in good condition) or recycled (if not usable)
Schedule a Pickup!
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Learn more about Somerville’s zero waste efforts from the City’s Zero Waste Plan.
What You Can Do
Reduce Your Waste At Home
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- Use the Waste Wizard to find out how to properly dispose of or recycle your waste.
- Schedule a pickup to recycle your mattress or box spring.
- Explore the full Tree Inventory Map.
- Adopt a catch basin drain to help keep our waterways clean.
- Adopt a tree - name it, water it, love it.
Check out SustainaVille, the home of Somerville’s climate action initiatives.
Programs & Initiatives
If you are a business, consultant, or non-profit that may be able to support Somerville’s business community, we encourage you to respond to our Request for Information (RFI).
Members will develop a recommendation to the Mayor on both the location and scope of a renovated or new school to meet the needs of the Winter Hill Community Innovation School and potentially the Benjamin G. Brown School.
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