EcoStar would not be possible without the support of a number of public and private partnerships.  These partners have provided financial, technical, and administrative support in the development and operation of this program:

 Neil Angus, AICP
Text Box: Peter Lowitt, AICP

 Dona Neely

EcoStar benefits from a number of talented individuals and organizations that are available to provide members with information, technical assistance and support that enables them to implement economically– and environmentally-efficient operational practices.  Key program personnel come from different professional backgrounds; collectively they can provide a comprehensive approach to sustainable development:

Text Box: Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust Jessie B. Cox, who died in 1982, was noted for her philanthropy. She established the Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust to continue that tradition following her death. The Trust makes grants which address important societal issues in the Trust's fields of interest, and for which adequate funding from other sources cannot be obtained. Through their support, the Trustees also hope to increase significantly the ability of nonprofit organizations in the Trust's fields of interest to carry out their stated missions. The Trust provided a significant amount of funding to assist in further developing the EcoStar program over the next two years. WHO WE ARE

Education

Services

Dona Neely has been involved in the development and growth of EcoStar since its inception. She is responsible for coordinating educational forums, producing and delivering support services, and expanding participation.  She is also working on creating the Devens Eco-Efficiency Center, which will be a premier resource for a range of conservation and pollution prevention initiatives.  Ms. Neely’s business background helps to ensure that the EcoStar program remains pro-business and pro- environment. She has worked with corporations, governments, and non-profits in the areas of sustainable business practices, green building and renewable energy technologies, and watershed protection. Ms. Neely has spoken and written about the value of voluntary programs, produced tools to measure their effectiveness, and designed a program that promotes stewardship practices amongst small businesses located in the Blackstone River Watershed (Massachusetts).  Ms. Neely has a Masters Degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.

Peter Lowitt is Director/Land Use Administrator for the Devens Enterprise Commission.  At Devens, Mr. Lowitt manages the regulatory aspects of base redevelopment with a focus on sustainable redevelopment.  Mr. Lowitt was key in the development of the EcoStar program. Prior to coming to Devens, Mr. Lowitt served as Director of Planning and Economic Development for the Town of Londonderry, New Hampshire (1993-1999) where he developed the Londonderry Ecological Industrial Park and the award winning Sustainable Londonderry Program.  He holds a Masters Degree in Community Economic Development from the Urban Environmental Policy Graduate Program at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.  Mr. Lowitt is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and is actively involved in many sustainability, eco-industrial, planning and economic development initiatives in New England and throughout the United States and the world. He has lectured on sustainable economic development and the EcoStar program in New Zealand, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Canada.

Neil Angus is an Environmental Planner for the Devens Enterprise Commission.  Working with the Director, Mr. Angus assists in regulating redevelopment of this former army base in a sustainable manner. Mr. Angus has also worked as an Environmental Planner in Connecticut and Calgary, Alberta.

Mr. Angus is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and is a US Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional.  Mr. Angus holds a Professional Design Degree in Environmental Planning from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.  As a professional environmental planner serving the public for over 10 years, Mr. Angus has been involved in hundreds of development and conservation projects throughout Canada and New England.  Through his work, Mr. Angus has continuously and successfully pushed for a balance of economic, social and environmental needs to help ensure that development occurs in a sustainable manner for the benefit of current and future generations.

Special Thanks to our Current EcoStar Steering Committee Members:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Ainsley

 Campbell

Nashua River Watershed Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martha Demerjian

Eglomise Designs, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Giuliano

MassDev. Devens DPW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sally Edwards

Lowell Center for Sustainable Production

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob Eisengrein

Devens Advisory Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa McLaughlin

Devens Enterprise Commission

“EcoStar members strive to become a model of successful industrial ecology where businesses work in synergy with the environment.”- EcoStar Statement of Purpose, Page 5, EcoStar Action Guide.
Text Box: Nashua River Watershed Association Text Box: Founded in 1969, the Nashua River Watershed Association's (NRWA) mission is to work for a healthy ecosystem with clean water and open spaces for human and wildlife communities, where people work together to sustain mutual economic and environmental well-being in the Nashua River watershed. The NRWA serves as an educator, advocate, and steward for the 31 watershed communities in north central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. They have participated in and supported the development of EcoStar and serve as our fiscal sponsor for grant administration. Text Box:  Text Box: EcoStar Steering Committee Founders: The original EcoStar Steering Committee was a group of dedicated individuals who worked together over a three-year period to create this program. The diversity of this group reflects the EcoStar program slogan: “Economy, Ecology, Community”. Participants included: Sally Edwards (facilitator and consultant to the steering committee) Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce Parker Hannifan Corporation Nashua River Watershed Association American Superconductor Eglomisé Designs, Inc. Mass Development Bob Eisengrein, Devens resident Eco Laboratories Southern Container Corp. Executive Office of Environmental Affairs’ Office of Technology Assessment Mount Wachusett Community College The Greening of Industries Network Massachusetts Audubon Society Ayer Office of Community & Economic Development Devens Enterprise Commission Since the program launched, a core group of steering members are still involved in the continued development and administration of the program. Without everyone’s assistance, this program would not be possible. Our sincere thanks to all!