The Sustainable Fairfield Task Force (SFTF) is a group of citizen volunteers working in cooperation with Town officials and other stakeholders to support Town practices and projects that can help Fairfield manage its growth – with focus on safeguarding the health of its environment, ensuring the reliability and economical use of its natural resources, and preserving the quality of life of its residents, today and for the future.
Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The SFTF assists the Town of Fairfield in establishing sustainability as a fundamental consideration in addressing our Town’s varied and complex needs. The SFTF encourages sustainable development through promotion of best practices and sustainable technologies, and by stimulating discussion and ideas to improve our community’s ongoing environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Importantly, the SFTF also puts special emphasis on helping community members personally practice sustainability, through recycling and composting, water conservation, efficient energy use, commitment to “green” and public transportation, and other approaches.
The SFTF’s work is advanced through subcommittees dedicated to energy and the built environment, transportation, food and waste, the natural environment, equity, communication and outreach, and advocacy.
Volunteers within and outside of the task force who come together to make progress in a particular area of sustainability. Anyone can join. You do not need to be a member of Sustainable Fairfield to make a difference in your community!
Energy & Built Environment
Meets: Second Tuesday of every month Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Chair: Bob Wall
We encourage more efficient and renewably sourced energy use for heating, cooling, lighting, ventilation, and electrical equipment in our buildings through easily implemented sustainable solutions that will quickly pay for themselves. To that end, we seek to inform and empower the town, residents, businesses and organizations to make smart energy choices.
Transportation
Meets: Second Tuesday of every month Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Chair: Daphne Dixon
The Transportation Committee focuses on clean and equitable transportation and infrastructure for all Fairfielders. The benefits of EVs are many including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change, improving air quality and public health by the reduction of particulate matter and toxic emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, improving energy security and in some cases, saving money on transportation costs.
We are in conversation with members of the town staff, school district, police department, universities, developers, and residents to collaborate on projects that support EV adoption.
Food & Waste
Meets: First Friday of every month Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Chair: Becky Bunnell
The SFTF Food and Waste committee develops programs that allow town residents to learn how to compost and recycle as well as understand the various sustainable and natural food options in the area. We have gotten grants for discounted composters as well as recycling outreach programs and work with a variety of local organizations and schools on education and outreach programs.
Natural Environment
Meets: Last Friday of each month Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Chair: Mary Hogue
the Natural Environment Committee (NEC) addresses issues around our Town’s drinking water supply & water quality, Town trees and forests, parks & open spaces, beaches, wetlands & marshes, sustainable landscaping, and wastewater management. See the Fairfield Sustainability Plan for more information on these and other topics that affect you. The NEC works with Town staff, citizens, local businesses and organizations to create guidelines and implements projects to help Fairfield better manage and safeguard the health of our community’s natural environment – to improve the quality of life for our citizens and our fauna and flora.
Equity
Meets: Last Thursday of every month Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Chairs: Emma Kaye, Shawn O’Sullivan
Equity, inclusion and diversity are inherent elements of a sustainable future. All people deserve access to thriving natural resources and healthy environments. SFTF is committed to ensuring equitable outcomes in our work by considering equity in each action we undertake and creating a culture of inclusion within our community by encouraging diverse participation, voices and opinions.
Communication & Outreach
Meets: Second Tuesday of every month Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Chair: Rabab Syed
As the Communication & Outreach committee, one of our aims is to reach all members of our community through strategic communications about municipal operations, services, and events.
We strive to bring together our community in fun, informative, and constructive ways, through energetic events that can model and engage residents and business owners in sustainability practices, whilst increasing the knowledge-base and effectiveness of our local boards and commissions.
Collaborating with, and supporting, community partners as well as working collaboratively with other municipalities through regional initiatives is also one of our many objectives in our efforts to broaden engagement and increase the impact of sustainability actions.
