Email Group Connects Local Environmental Efforts

The movement to keep Fairfield clean, green and sustainable has become as simple as checking your email.

An email group called is serving to connect numerous environmental initiatives and volunteers to achieve a common goal: to make the town sustainable through less fossil fuel consumption and the use of clean energy.

The group was launched in 2010 by Fairfield resident Janak Desai and is open to anyone who is interested local environmental issues.

Desai, a Master Gardener, yoga instructor, civil engineer and IT manager, said he has been an environmentalist "for as long as I can remember."

"I've always been interested in nature and finding ways to protect the environment."

That interest lead Desai to become involved in green projects in town, including the Clean Energy Task Force, the Brick Walk Farmers Market, and Fairfield Earth Day, among other initiatives.

"I knew so many other people were involved, but we were all doing separate things," Desai said. "We weren't really communicating with each other, not leveraging to our advantage."

And so Sustainable Fairfield was launched.

"It's important for people to work on their own projects...but if everyone has the same goal, if everybody kind of works together under a common umbrella... we can reach a bigger number of people in town," Desai said.

A number of town-wide projects and committees fall under the purview of Sustainable Fairfield:

• The Bike Walk Coalition
• The Forestry Commission
• Fuel for Learning (a Parent-Teacher Association Council partnership)
• Fairfield Earth Day Committee
• Fairfield Clean Energy Task Force
• Solid Waste Recycling
• Public Works Initiatives under the direction of Ed Boman, assistant director of Public Works

"It's a very effective way for people to be involved to reach that common goal. It's more focused [than Facebook]," Desai said.

He added that the emails are kept to just a few a week and clearly outline action items and events for members to become involved with.

Fairfield resident Anne Tack agreed that the focus and courteous nature of the email group was one factor that drew her in.

"It is one-stop shopping for my green educational needs. I used to get so many emails. I happily junk-mailed those organizations when I signed up for Sustainable Fairfield," Tack said.

"This way I get one email a few times a week or once a week informing me of cool Green activities of interest to myself and my family scheduled in our town or in surrounding communities."

Tack added that the group gives the members a political voice on behalf of sustainability. "There is strength in numbers."

A function of the group is to brainstorm projects and recommend to local elected officials that the town should pursue them, Desai said, citing the Fairfield Bike Walk Coalition and creating more public transportation in town.

One elected official voiced his support for the group, the individuals involved, and their initiatives.

“Fairfield continues to be a leader in spearheading environmental initiatives that enable our community to be more sustainable," First Selectmen Michael Tetreau said. "I applaud the many groups, individuals, town officials and businesses that are collaborating with one another to help achieve a cleaner and healthier environment.”

For Michelle McCabe, who spearheads the Fuel for Learning project, getting to know other residents who share her passion for sustainability is an important aspect of the group.

"It is a great opportunity for me to be aware of the efforts of these very dedicated and talented people," she said.

Whatever the reason for becoming involved, most members would likely agree with Desai's summary of Sustainable Fairfield's goal.

"We just want to have a really, really green town," he said. "That's be pretty cool."

If you would like to learn more or become part of Sustainable Fairfield, email Desai at desaijc@yahoo.com.