Autumn leaves are falling; this annual drop of biomass is a wonderful testament to the sheer productiveness of our trees. It’s also a boon to gardeners. And the insect world.
After our unseasonably warm weekend (today’s temp [10.6.25] is +18 degrees F above average daily high), we’re due for some much-needed rain midweek, followed by the passage of a cold front with strong winds. This weather pattern is a great setup for a strong leaf drop, prompting many of us into leaf-removal overdrive.
There are alternatives to leaf removal that benefit our insect population, help neighbors, and perhaps provide a better way all around.
Years ago I was fortunate to read a letter by Beedy Parker in the Camden Herald that suggested the formation of a leaf exchange. That note led to me connecting with a local gardener who has since welcomed the hundreds of leaves I rake to the side of my lawn. He shows up each year with a partner and pickup truck, taking my dry oak and maple leaves home to bed his ample garden for the winter.
I rake my other leaves (I have 9 deciduous trees skirting the outer rim of my lot) into my compost pile. Others I use to bed down my own raspberry plants.
If you’d like to find a better use for your leaves than removal to the landfill, or want a supply of leaves for your gardens, email us a camdencan2025@gmail.com. We’ll see if we can create a leaf exchange!
You can also read this wonderful newsletter outlining other ways you can turn your leaves into a golden opportunity: “Fall Gold: Turn Your Leaf Pile into Next Year’s Garden Treasure.”
Local Energy/Environmental News
- Maine’s heating oil usage is at an all-time low. “The share of Mainers using electricity for their primary heat nearly doubled to 13.5% between 2018 and 2024 according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.” Read more here.
- Maine’s Climate Action Plan calls for reducing greenhouse gas pollution by putting 150,000 electric and plug-in hybrid cars and trucks on the road by 2030. Even though the federal government has stopped its EV credits, “Efficiency Maine still offers incentives to buy electric vehicles. Low- and middle-income individuals, businesses and non-profits and governments can apply for a rebate of up to $7,500 for a new or used EV.” Read more here and here for the EV car and charger credits.
- Camden Hills’ Regional High School wind tower is operating! Bravo to the school and the students for getting it back online. See their sustainability projects here.
- Alna is providing battery backup for loss-of-power events. Read more here.
- We’re in a drought. Maybe you’ve noticed. Wednesday’s rain may help, a bit.
- We’ve broken yet another planetary boundary (we’ve now crossed 7 of 9): ocean acidification now surpasses 30%. Camden Harbor and the Gulf of Maine are suffering. Read more here. And it’s not just the planet that suffers, so will our pocketbooks: “A 2020 report by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that ocean acidification would cost the country’s economy billions of dollars.”
Energy Coaching Program News
The training for the first cohort of volunteer Energy Coaches will begin this fall, and prospective coaches are invited to attend an Information Session (with free pizza) on Monday October 27 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Flatbread in Rockport. Then on Thursday October 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Camden Public Library will host a program for area residents to learn more about how to reduce home energy costs and increase comfort. Read more about these upcoming events in the calendar listings below. Or here.
Upcoming Climate-Changed Events
October 7, Tuesday, 4:00 to 5:00 ,pm, Camden Public Library, CamdenCAN’s Resilient Reading Group. Facilitated conversation circle exploring current climate science and all its implications. Come meet others wanting to improve their climate literacy and explore ways to think about living in a climate-changed world. First book will be Kate Marvel’s Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Changing Planet. Second book will be Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart/Brian D. McLaren. See more about it here. You don’t need to attend all gatherings—drop-ins are welcome. Dates will be 10/7, 10/28, 11/11, 11/25, 12/9, 12/23, 1/13/26, 1/27/26. May include a zoom component if needed.
October 27, Monday, 5:00-6:30 pm, Flatbread Pizza, Rockport, Free Pizza at our Becoming an Energy Coach Information Session. This session is open to any friends/neighbors/colleagues who may be interested in training to become an energy coach. Camden/Rockport are starting a program to help neighbors navigate home performance, heat pump, water heating, and other projects, contractor bids, and rebates. Info session is to learn about Coach role and ask questions. All ages, skills and experience welcome—no technical skills expected—coaches will work in pairs. We’ll provide an overview of the program and Coach role, and welcome Q&A from attendees. See more about energy coaching here.
October 30, Thursday, Save the Date, 6:30-7:45 pm, Camden Public Library, Camden Talks Climate Household Energy Improvements. As part of the Community Action Grant for Energy Coaching. More information to follow.
November 7, 3-6:30 pm, GoLogic Shop in Belfast, ScaleUp, Carbon Down: From Vision to Action. We are still looking for 1-2 lightning presenters! 3-5 minutes from a builder, designer, planner or developer on a current project, lessons learned, or what we need to do to scale up low-carbon and/or multifamily housing. Details + reserve a spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scaleup-carbondown-from-vision-to-action-tickets-1759044953809
Concluding Thoughts
We’d like to give a big thanks again to John and Rachel Nicholas and the Good Trouble Project’s choice of CamdenCAN for last month’s benefit concert. We’ve been able to start a fund that will help us continue our work for a stable climate.
Despite these delectable autumn days, our planet is in trouble; as Pope Leo said last week, “There is no room for indifference or resignation.” We know it’s hard to hold this truth, plus the joys of an ample harvest, an irresistibly wondrous golden autumn day, and political instability, all at one time.
And yet here we are. This is a time for savoring, and yet hunkering down, shoring up our communal bonds so that we have each other to rely on as our days shorten and we head into our winter season.
We’re proud to be working on such community initiatives through our energy coaching and emergency preparedness grant, as well as our resilient reading group, and other as-yet unannounced activities including a fall for-all potluck, where we’d love to meet as many of you as possible.
To quote Pope Leo again: “We are one family…we inhabit the same planet and must care for it together.”
Until then, we hope you’re gathering friends and family, joining to celebrate the golden light of autumn afternoons and the full moon.
And maybe do a rain dance.
“Everyone in society, through nongovernmental organizations and advocacy groups, must put pressure on governments to develop and implement more rigorous regulations, procedures and controls,” the pope said.
“Citizens need to take an active role in political decision-making at national, regional and local levels,” [Pope Leo] said. “Only then will it be possible to mitigate the damage done to the environment.” —World Must Come Together to Fight Climate Change