Climate Changemakers Forum Brings Regional Energy to Andover
The room was buzzing from the very start.
On May 19, grassroots leaders and municipal staff driving local climate action came together for the Climate Changemakers Forum, held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Andover. Folks came from 24 different communities including Bedford, Beverly, Cape Ann, Lexington, Newton, Tyngsboro, Winchester and lots more!
ECCF Sets the Tone for Regional Collaboration
From the opening remarks by Stratton Lloyd of Essex County Community Foundation, the tone was clear: collaboration across communities is key to creating broad-based change. And that collaborative spirit carried through every moment of the day. Attendees shared stories, swapped strategies, and sparked fresh ideas to support climate work across eastern Massachusetts.
“Stop and think, what are people who are not part of this work hearing, and how can I get them involved?”
One theme that emerged again and again? Sharing. People appreciated the chance to hear from others—and left with real, practical takeaways. As Lisa Paul put it during one session, “Community voices are as critical as expert voices.” That spirit of mutual learning helped shape every conversation throughout the day.
Mindset Shifts Sparked New Perspectives
The Forum was unique in that conversations were facilitated by experts in each of four areas:
Accelerating electrification
Engaging youth
Climate resilience
Waste management
All participants shares what programs and strategies had been successful and what had been unsuccessful in their communities. Discussions encouraged attendees to step back and rethink how they approach their work.
“Stop and think,” urged Ken Pruitt. “What are people who are not part of this work hearing, and how can I get them involved?” That reminder to meet people where they are resonated with many in the room.
Even thinking about reducing trash requires a mind shift. As Waneta Trabert shared, “Reducing trash requires retraining people’s minds to think of trash as a utility. You would never pay for your neighbor’s electricity or your neighbor’s water bill—yet when you put out one barrel of trash and your neighbor puts out two, you are paying for their trash.”
Actionable Tools and Tangible Takeaways
Attendees left with new contacts, ideas for regional initiatives, creative framing strategies (my personal favorite? Calling new programs “pilots”), and a strong sense of renewed energy.
To help keep the momentum going, here are a few resources and opportunities highlighted at the Forum:
🌱 Recipe Cards for Climate Action
These bite-sized strategy snapshots are designed to be practical and replicable. We’ve published nine so far, with more to come. Want to contribute one? We’d love to help you get started.
💬 Join the Conversation with ECCF
Wherever you live or work in the region, you're invited to stay connected and keep the conversation going with the Essex County Community Foundation.
Thank you to everyone who made the Forum a success—your time, ideas, and commitment made the day meaningful and full of momentum.
The Forum was co-hosted by AndoverWECAN and the Town of Andover.
