About Us

The Hamilton Wenham Climate Action Team (HWCAT) is a local non-profit volunteer group accelerating our transition to clean energy and away from fossil fuels.  We work with the H-W school district, the select boards, local businesses and nonprofits, and residents. A small group of residents began working together in 2021; HWCAT was created in 2022.  

The founding members are: 

Bob Knowles

Sue Patrolia

Greg Horner

David Smith

We must work together to achieve our goals - please join us!

Recent Progress & Accomplishments

2024

Joined the Green Impact Project to share progress with neighboring towns.

Hosted a Clean Energy Fair attracting 50 people arriving to learn and leaving to take action by switching to all things electric.

2023

Introduced Mass Saves energy audits to the Asbury Grove Community and the Hamilton Council on Aging.

Received a grant from NE Biolabs.

Heat Pumps 101 presentation engaged 50 people. 

Solar 101 presentation engaged 35 people.

Met with HWRSD leadership re: planning for solar at the High School.

Two local churches are considering solar, with our help.
Hundreds of residents learned about HWCAT at the Community House Block Party and the Fall Festival in Hamilton's downtown.

Sustainability presentation engaged 25 people.

2022
Hamilton and Wenham Select Boards both approved Climate Action Resolutions in 2022.

Hundreds Hundreds of residents learned about HWCAT at the Shop Local Downtown Fair. 

Hamilton created the nascent HEIC: Hamilton Environmental Impact Cmte

HWRSD declined to pass a resolution but is eager to participate; they are included in the Hamilton and Wenham resolutions.

Solar power installations are being planned for the high school parking lot.

Partnered with National Grid to bring heavily subsidized energy saving & clean energy programs to local businesses.  

History

Hamilton Wenham Green (HWG) was the driving force behind much of the sustainability programs in Hamilton and Wenham a decade ago.  It began with our designation as one of the first Green Communities in Massachusetts and includes the Community Garden, support for Organic Curbside Recycling, Christmas Tree Recycling, town wide Thermal Imaging of homes, and the first 'Shop Local' event in 2010.  

Many of those projects were new and innovative for the time. Hamilton and Wenham were leaders in sustainability from 2010 to 2014.  Since then, Salem, Beverly, Ipswich, and other neighboring towns have made giant leaps in sustainability and created Climate Action Plans. 

With a new name, a more focused vision and a clear mission, we are ready to help Hamilton, Wenham, and the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District actively pursue and achieve the NET ZERO CARBON goals set for by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts - though we aim to achieve these by 2040, not 2050 as the state has planned.  

Join us! - Hamilton Wenham Climate Action Team