In recent years, many local towns have created roles for sustainability specialists. These professionals lead and coordinate their town’s sustainability initiatives and help to raise awareness about environmental issues. They develop and implement sustainability plans, monitor progress, and report on results. The sustainability officer works closely with relevant town committees and community members to promote practices such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation. Creating sustainable policies can help towns save money by securing funding via local, state, or private sources.

MetroWest Climate Solutions will host a moderated roundtable discussion with three sustainability professionals from local towns:

Julie Gagen, Sustainability Coordinator, Weston

Jillian Wilson Martin, Director of Sustainability, Natick

Abigail Shute, Sustainability Manager, Wayland

Anna Katharina Wilkins, PhD, will moderate the panel. Wilkins, a chemical engineer, is a founding member of the Sustainable Weston Action Group (SWAG), a founding member of the 350MA Metrowest node, and chair of the Weston Sustainability Committee.