We exist to advocate for environmental sustainability in our community and make our town and world a better place. We hold community meetings to inform others about the importance of sustainable living and how might get there together. We also continue to support individuals and projects who are making a difference on their own!
BHS ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP
Sustainable Braintree has established an annual $1,000 scholarship to a Braintree High School graduating Senior who has a demonstrated passion for environmental issues at BHS and beyond and/or is pursuing and environmental science or related field of study after graduation.
We offer our congratulations to the following past recipients and look forward to continuing to support environmental education in Braintree.
2025 – Giovana Pizzi
2024 – Kelsey DePaolo
2023 – Sabrina Wise
2022 – Deeksha Kavalapara
2021 – Sophia Millholland
2020 – Amber Madeiras
2019 – Risi Tabaku
2018 – Jessica Doherty
2017 – Anja Johnson
2016 – Jessica Tran
2015 – Robert Kearns
2014 – Saydia Williams
2013 – David Desmond
2012 – Lauren Hill
2011 – Claire Folan
2010 – Maggie Kwong
LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT SUPPORT/GRANTS
Sustainable Braintree is committed to promoting curiosity and understanding of natural and human ecosystems as way to encourage current and future generations to work for a better world. To this end, we have funded environmental projects in the community and particularly in the Braintree Schools, many in conjunction with the Braintree Fund for Education (BFFE) teacher grant program.
2024 – South Middle School Garden
Supported plant selection and procurement for the Native Plant Garden at Flaherty Elementary School. This new perennial garden will attract butterflies and other pollinators to the space and will educate and inspire wonder for students for years to come.
2018 – South Middle School Garden
Provided rain barrels for rainwater capture and storage for use at the South Middle School garden.
2017 – Highlands Elementary School Garden
Supported an Eagle Scout project to capture roof runoff to a Rain Garden to be used for classroom education.
2015 – South Middle School Water Bottle Filling Station
Supported procurement and installation of EZH2O Water Bottle Filling Station at South Middle School.
2013 – Flaherty Elementary School Garden
Coordinate grants from SB and Whole Foods to create 18 raised bed gardens for classroom vegetable and wildflower gardens at the Flaherty Elementary School. 2012 – Braintree High School AP Environmental Energy Audit
Kill A Watt Usage Monitors, a class set of light meters and thermal leak detectors students will be able to conduct energy audits on portions of the High School building. As a result of their investigations, they can propose possible solutions with a cost benefit analysis for reducing energy and costs.
2012 – Wind Energy Forum at South and East Middle Schools
Students will learn how conventional energy is generated and explore the transfer of energy from mining operations through power plants. Students will also learn how wind turbines create energy by using wind in place of fossil fuels. 2012 – Braintree High School Recycling Initiative
The goal of this project is to increase the amount of recycling done throughout the high school. The BHS Green Team will lead the way with new initiatives to encourage staff and students to recycle. Sustainable Braintree applauds these programs and congratulates the Braintree Schools for their support in promoting environmental responsibility.
2011 – East Middle School Rain Garden
Teacher Bill Glover developed a rain garden at East Middle School to be used as both an educational site and a filter for excessive amounts of runoff water. Once established, the garden will become a viable teaching space where students can see untreated water diverted, and multiple plants coexisting with diverse groups of organisms, demonstrating a symbiotic relationship.
2011 – Ross Elementary School Garden Compost Project
School Teacher Catherine Avellino will enhance a previously established garden at Ross Elementary School by recycling used materials to make compost. Through the use of a composter and cold frame garden beds, students will discover the powerful energy of the sun.
2011 – East Middle School Nature Trail
Sustainable Braintree joined Bogan Tree and Skinner Overlook to support teacher Lisa Milligan at East Middle School in the design and implementation of a new Nature Trail.
2010 – Ross Elementary School Garden
Teacher Catherine Avellino, Ross Elementary School, $1,000 from the BFFE to construct an outdoor classroom at the school enabling students to learn in an outdoor environment.
2009 – Science through Solar Panels at South Middle School
Teacher Betsey Willis, South Middle School, $500 from the BFFE for “Science through Solar Panels,” purchasing and installing a solar panel in her classroom. 2009 – River Study at East Middle School
Teacher William Glover, East Middle School, $500 from Sustainable Braintree and $500 from the BFFE for “The River Study” where Mr. Glover’s students collected and analyzed water samples from Smelt Brook in Pond Meadow Park.
2009 – Hollis Elementary School Outdoor Garden
Community Events
The gallery below depicts some of our past events. If you have ideas for an event or topic for a Community Meeting please reach to info@sustainablebraintree.org!