Getting involved at the local level is one way to tackle Environmental Equity challenges. As a community member, you have the right to participate in public town meetings and express your hopes and concerns. Keep reading for tips on getting involved and making a difference in your community.
Attending a town meeting is a great way to stay informed about what’s going on in your community. All municipalities have designated meetings that are open to the public.
Explore your town’s website to find out when public meetings are held and where. Look for calendars or meeting schedules. If you can’t find the information readily available use this tool to find your mayor’s contact information and inquire about the public meeting schedule.
Meetings are generally held in person, but sometimes hybrid or virtual meetings are held via services like Zoom. Virtual meetings can be a more accessible option for some, if your town does not offer virtual/hybrid meetings it is worthwhile to request the options for those who may find it difficult to attend in person due to transportation issues, mobility challenges, or meetings being held when people can’t easily attend.
When addressing a challenge that may be related to Environmental Equity, you want to identify the department of your local government that will be most helpful. Here is the brief overview of several departments and their specialties.
The Construction or Zoning departments usually oversees new construction and development. The zoning department also determines what land can be used for ie: recreational, commercial, residential. Knowing how to contact these departments will help you to determine if a project in development will have a health or safety implication related to Environmental Equity.
The Environmental department oversees sustainability in your community and initiatives such as community gardens, composting, and community clean ups. This is where to start if you are interested in starting or participating in a sustainable initiative or have concerns about the environmental health of your community.
The Health department is a champion of community health and wellness. They oversee public health and wellness and monitor residential and commercial institutions for health and safety standards. Getting in touch with your health department is an option if you have concerns over how construction or industrial operations in your town may be impacting your community, .
The Parks and Recreation department oversees the public parks and recreational facilities in your town. They may be helpful if you want to express the desire for more public spaces and recreational activities in your community or share concerns over the state of parks, recreation and public spaces.
The Public Works department is responsible for streets, sidewalks, highways, sewage/storm drains, waste treatment and removal. Environmental justice challenges related to sewage overflow, roads or waste management should be addressed here to start. There may be a third party to engage with as well which is why it may also be a great idea to connect with your local leadership (mayor and council) regarding concerns.
Speaking at a public meeting provides you the opportunity to advocate for yourself and community. There are different rules and regulations regarding public statements depending on where you live .
Ensure the meeting is open to public comments. Most town council meetings are open to public comments, but check in advance to determine if there will be a public comment period and if advance registration to make comments is required.
Register in advance. In some municipalities you may be required to register that you are making a comment ahead of time. Verify this with your town before attending.
Be aware of time limits. Most public meetings have an allocated section of the meeting dedicated to public comments. Everyone is able to make a comment, but there may be time restrictions, so check prior to attending.
Prepare your statement ahead of time. Given the fact that your speaking period may be limited it is important to be prepared. Write out your statement and focus on the key points you want to address. Have a clear message and straightforward objective. If you have questions have them ready as well.
One of the biggest ways to make an impact on your community is being aware of what is happening in your town and local government. Your town will have meeting minutes posted to the town website for you to review that can keep you aware of what’s happening and make sure your point was captured correctly.
Remember, government officials are elected by and serve your community. Vote for officials that represent your values and promote Environmental Equity for all.
