WESTPORT

The creation of Westport GVI was a direct result of a belief that our town could get back to our historically liberal roots and become a model for change. 

In 1969, Westporters banded together to stop United Illuminating Company from building a nuclear power plant on Cochenoe Island, and in 1972, one thousand residents signed a petition and the RTM passed a resolution asking President Nixon and Congress to withdraw from the Vietnam War.  In 1982, the RTM passed a resolution calling for a nuclear arms freeze.  Knowing there were still activists within Westport who might welcome the support of like-minded people,

and inspired by the September 2008 Bag Ban, a local ordinance banning retail use of plastic bags, GVI’s founders began reaching out into the community, seeking to make environmental and community change.

GVI’s first project in Westport was to sponsor an Edible School Gardens workshop, which attracted over 250 people and brought together a strong team to build school gardens in Westport.  Our first edible school garden was built in 2009 at Staples High School Since then we have built gardens in Westport at the senior center, a synagogue, and the Y camp.  We created the Wakeman Town Farm in 2010 as an educational center for gardening and homesteading.  Wakeman hosts a CSA,  a pioneering RSA (Restaurant Supported Agriculture) program and weekly workshops.  We sponsor and support the Westport Community Garden and the Westport Farmers’ Market.

The goal of Westport GVI, and GVI,  is to create environmental and community change at the local level and then model that for other communities.  We always welcome new ideas and enthusiasm.