Lightstar Gives Back in Action
The Lightstar Gives Back program supports organizations and issues through donations, sponsorships and resources to help foster vibrant communities and sustainable economic development. We want to be involved in ways that will have a lasting, meaningful impact.
Nestled on the western shore of Penobscot Bay in Rockport, Aldermere Farm, with its world renowned Belted Galloway cattle, has been a regional landmark for generations. Since 1999, statewide land conservation organization Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) has owned and managed the 136-acre saltwater farm as a community preserve and agricultural educational center.
Neighboring Erickson Fields, a 164-acre preserve conserved with the help of Maine Farmland Trust in 2009, offers hiking trails and community gardens. Both places are home to agricultural programming for youth and supply fresh, nutrient-rich beef and produce to local food pantries. They also serve as test grounds for regenerative agriculture techniques, which are shared with area farmers and incorporated into programming.
Our mission is to advance the conservation of lands and waters in Maine to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities.
Since 1970, Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) has helped conserve over 180,000 acres and 337 islands, including over 160 places open to the public offering over 100 miles of hiking trails.
We’ve partnered with individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities to conserve iconic islands, critical wildlife habitat, coastal watersheds, water access sites, downtown greenspaces, and epic places for people to explore.
Our priorities are mitigating the impacts of climate change on the coast, protecting vulnerable plants and animals, expanding access to the coast, and serving Maine’s coastal communities and network of over 80 land trusts.
Lightstar volunteer day on the farm.
The dedicated teams at Lightstar spent a remarkably productive session at the farm, where they helped with a variety of chores and essential projects that required extra hands and support. By effectively dividing our available resources, we tackled a wide range of activities, including painting, barn clean-up, seasonal high-tunnel maintenance, crop processing, wood stacking, and several other important tasks. These efforts not only contributed to the overall upkeep of the farm but also enabled the farm staff to focus on their incredibly busy day-to-day operations, allowing for a smoother workflow.
And as you know…We LOVE farms of all sizes!
“As a community solar company, we believe in the power of collective action and making a positive impact. That’s why we prioritize volunteering and giving back to the communities and farms that we serve.”
Benedict Park Playground in Montgomery, New York Closer to Meeting Accessibility Goals
More children and caregivers with disabilities in Orange County will soon be able to play at Benedict Park playground. This is thanks to the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan and the Town of Montgomery’s work to create an inclusive and fully-accessible playground at the Benedict Park Playground. The addition will include a smooth rubberized surface that is easier to maneuver, shaded areas, a large, low-to-the-ground play structure, an inclusive whirl built into the ground, communication boards, new fencing to increase safety, and a multitude of adaptive swings that allow the inclusion of both children and caregivers with disabilities.
For children and caregivers with disabilities in Orange County, many playgrounds present barriers that limit their full access to the play space. During the October 6, 2022, Town Board meeting, Kaitlin Rickerd, a pediatric therapist, explained the need for playgrounds accessible to people with disabilities. Kaitlin’s goal, alongside the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, is to raise $100,000 for the construction of the playground. Lightstar Renewables and its project development team donated $11,000 to the initiative, bringing the children of Orange County closer to enjoying a playground that has features everyone can use. A core part of Lightstar’s mission is ensuring that everyone can access the outdoors and participate fully in our communities.
“We’re excited to jump-start the efforts for Cultivate Montgomery to bring a universally accessible playground to the community. Lightstar Renewables is grateful for the opportunity to create more opportunities for everyone, no matter their disability, to enjoy the outdoors. Everyone deserves to play and this project will only strengthen Montgomery’s already tight-knit community.”
— Lucy Bullock-Sieger, Vice President of Strategy
Energy access is a human right and Gallup Solar has been working diligently in New Mexico over the last 15 years to support Navajo Nation members access solar energy to power their homes, provide refrigeration for fresh food and medicine, and a certificate training program to perform rooftop installations. Each year, Gallup Solar trains residents to perform 10 installations on the surrounding Navajo reservations. There are 15,000 residents unable to connect to the grid. Lightstar is honored to partner with Gallup Solar to work towards doubling these efforts with an annual financial commitment over the next three years.
“We know that access to clean energy impacts more than just where people get their power. It opens opportunities for better health, better shelter, and better access to fresh food. The opportunity to expand our training and increase solar installations with Lightstar’s support means more people can thrive in their own homes and lives.”
— Bill Bright, President of Gallup Solar