Welcome!
Founded in 2017, Westfield Green Together (WGT) promotes and educates about sustainable practices in the city of Westfield, Indiana. To receive our newsletter, subscribe on our website at https://wgtogether.org
Also check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/WGTogether/
What’s Happening in Westfield?
WGT volunteers have done an amazing job this year. Currently, we have logged 1,158 hours of volunteer time and are well on our way to hitting 1,200 hours by the end of the year. A new record!
The sharing garden and school gardens have been put to bed for the year. Areas at the sharing garden have been expanded for an even better crop of fruits and vegetables next year. WGT would like to thank Shamrock Connections for all their help!
On September 20th, volunteers enhanced the “green islands” at the Monon Trailhead parking lot on 151st Street with native plants.
WGT participated in the Westfield Pride celebration at Asa Bales Park on September 27th and passed out native plants and soap made from our sharing garden luffa plant.
WGT successfully planted 130 native trees with the help of 29 volunteers, logging over 107 volunteer hours, during the weekend of October 4th and 5th at Grand Park Sports Campus. The trees will be maintained by Park staff and provide much needed greenery and shade to the Campus. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the event, especially Shelly Brown who was responsible for all the coordinating.
Volunteers are encouraged to help with invasive species removal at Raymond Worth Park (16301 Little Eagle Creek Avenue) throughout the winter months on Fridays at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. Keep up-to-date by following us on Facebook.
Upcoming Events:
On Thursday, December 4th, Carmel Green Initiative will be hosting a Green Gift Shop at the Carmel Clay Public Library from 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
On Saturday, January 10th, WGT will present “Winter Sowing and Butterfly Gardening: Starting Seeds for a Pollinator Paradise” at the Westfield Washington Public Library from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Learn how to start seeds outdoors in winter using the simple, low-cost method of winter sowing – no grow lights or indoor set-up needed! This beginner class covers how to design a butterfly-friendly garden, choose native plants that attract pollinators, and create a safe, thriving habitat. Perfect for new and seasoned gardeners alike who want to grow sustainably and beautifully from the ground up. The class is free and all materials are provided. Register through the Westfield Washington Township OWWN Guide at: https://secure.rec1.com/IN/washington-township-in/catalog
Renewable Energy Day will take place at the Indiana statehouse on January 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Help advocate for a renewable energy future by attending the free event. The day will include a rally, renewable energy fair and free lunch. Attendees are also encouraged to set up meetings with their legislators. Register at https://solarunitedneighbors.org/events/indiana-renewable-energy-day-2026/
Easy Ways to Reduce Your Impact on the Earth
Here are some way to reduce the environmental impact of bathroom products:
- Keep a bucket in your shower to collect water as it is heating up to be used for watering indoor and outdoor plants.
- Purchase bar soap and shampoo packaged in paper (or with no packaging).
- Switch from a plastic disposable razor to a metal safety razor.
- Buy make-up products in glass and be sure to clean out and recycle them when empty. For products packaged in plastic, make sure they are made with a percentage of recycled plastic.
- Purchase a reusable ear cleaner to avoid single-use cotton swabs.
- Use an organic shower luffa sponge instead of plastic.
- Purchase cloth make-up remover wipes which can be washed and reused.
- Cloth handkerchiefs can be washed and reused instead of using single-use facial tissues.
- Purchase tooth paste tablets or powder in recyclable paper, glass or aluminum containers.
- Consider using a “pee rag” instead of toilet paper which can be washed and reused.
- Look for stick deodorant in cardboard containers.
- Swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo toothbrush.
Here are some ways you can save energy this holiday season (and throughout the winter months):
- Use light-emitting diode (LED) lights on your Christmas tree, and exterior decorations, as well as timers to turn lights on and off automatically.
- Consider non-electric holiday decorations.
- Optimize your home’s heating by lowering the thermostat when away or sleeping.
- Beware of “Energy Grinches.” Many electronics like TVs, gaming consoles and computers “steal” energy when plugged in but not in use. Remember to unplug these devices to save energy costs or switch to an Advanced Power Strip (APS) that does the job for you.
- Bake several dishes at once to cut down on oven use.
- Open curtains and window shades on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home, and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
- Make sure your home’s heating system is properly maintained, and change filters monthly (or as recommended in your owner’s manual).
- Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window wide open during the winter. If the fireplace is never used, plug and seal the chimney flue.
- Consider installing a solar photovoltaic system for lasting energy savings.
Fun Green Resources
Check out HortusScope at https://hortusscope.info. for a list of “green” events and educational tidbits in central Indiana.
Do you have a pair of shoes that has only made it out of the closet once or twice? Or maybe a brand new pair of shoes that has been outgrown? Changing Footprints will gladly take them off your hands and put them on the feet of someone in need. Shoes can be dropped off at participating locations. To find out more, visit: www.changingfootprints.org/shoe-drops
Your Westfield Parks
Freedom Trail Park will be getting a permanent bathroom, shelter and pickleball courts. The Park also has an all-inclusive playground and sensory garden, the first of its kind in the State of Indiana, specifically designed for children of all abilities.
Green Book Club
If you missed it, here are some highlights from the November 1st book club on “Not Just a Homemaker: The Extraordinary Life of Sheila MacGregor:”
- The book is a work of fiction inspired by true events, and tells the story of the actual Sheila MacGregor (who donated the land for MacGregor Park in Westfield) and the fictitious librarian, Meg, who uncovered her story.
- Sheila was born in Scotland around 1909. She spent some time as a nanny in South Africa, and returned to England to join the Women’s Land Army during WWII.
- Sheila immigrated to America in 1947, and married Lyndon Beals in 1952. They moved into the farmhouse, currently located in MacGregor Park, which had been owned by the Beals family since the Civil War.
- Lyndon Beals was a founding member of the Hamilton County Nature Study Club, later called the Blatchley Nature Study Club in Noblesville.
- Shelia started working at the Westfield Washington Public Library in 1971.
- The land for MacGregor Park was donated in 1999.
- Shelia died in 2002.
- Shelia and Lyndon had no children, but she loved dogs and walked them around the MacGregor Park property daily.
The book club is currently on hiatus.
Other
The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, was visible in Westfield the night of November 11th. It is caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with gases in the upper atmosphere, releasing energy as light. It is usually seen further north, with common colors of green and pink.
And last, but not least, the following sign was spotted at a local rally:
We totally agree!
Westfield Green Together 