Many towns in the greater Brunswick area have sustainability committees, conservation commissions, and other volunteer boards where citizens can directly influence environmental policy. Check the Government & Utilities section to find your town's specific contacts.

Ways to get involved

• Attend town meetings — Most are open to the public and listed on town websites
• Join a committee — Conservation commissions and sustainability committees welcome volunteers
• Contact elected officials — Share your environmental priorities with selectboard members and state legislators
• Volunteer — Local organizations always need help with trail maintenance, cleanups, and events

Attempting too many changes at once makes it harder to follow through. A better approach is to build momentum through many small successes: introduce one change at a time in a sequence that makes sense for your family.

Month 1–3: Start good habits

Pick three practices you can implement immediately with minimal cost or effort:

• Switch to cold-water washing (saves energy instantly)
• Install LED bulbs in lights you use a lot
• Start composting food scraps

Month 4–6: Upgrade systems

With habits established, tackle one significant upgrade:

• Install water-efficient fixtures throughout your home
• Prepare a plant-based meal once a week
• Find and seal air leaks in your attic and basement

Month 7–12: Plan investments

Research and plan for major improvements:

• Get quotes for solar panels or heat pumps
• Test drive electric vehicles
• Design native landscaping

Wisdom worth sharing: Start where you are. Do what you can. No one has to do everything if everyone does something. None of us are perfect, but we can each do a little better, with a little help and encouragement.

Calculate your Suspra Score at suspra.com/score to track your sustainability journey.