Issues

Conservation

Rena Getz and other members of the Friends of Hemlock Gorge

Rena has served on the Board of the Friends of Hemlock Gorge for the last four years. The city of Newton is blessed with many glorious open spaces.

We have DCR Reservations (Charles River and Hemlock Gorge) and Park Lands (Quinobequin Road). As this generation’s stewards of the “Garden City”, we need to value these treasures and habitats, and prioritize their preservation and betterment, as well as increase accessibility for all to enjoy. Let's protect, maintain and augment our open space, ecosystems and habitats!

Sustainability

I will do everything in my power as City Councilor to protect, maintain, and add to our open space, parks, playing fields and tree canopy. I will insist on green standards in all new development and promote adaptive re-use of existing buildings. I will advocate for additional revisions to our zoning code that support municipal Climate Change Resiliency.

As a scientist, I value data and scientific assessments. I will support strategies for climate change adaptation to be implemented in Newton.

Echo Bridge Vista

Tree Canopy

One of Newton’s richest assets is our urban forest and existing tree canopy. We need to value it and understand how strengthening the tree protection ordinance will do more for the overall environmental resiliency in Newton than any other act. Trees are a vital component of offsetting climate-change causing carbon, because trees lock away carbon in a more permanent way than other plant species. Trees also reduce urban heat islands by shading pavement and buildings, and reducing the need for air conditioning in warm weather.