The Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition (DEHC) is a grassroots network of Dorchester residents, businesses, institutions and non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting the environmental, social and economic benefits of living sustainably in Boston’s largest and oldest neighborhood. The Coalition’s mission is to tackle urban environmental health and justice issues through education and organizing, with the goal of improving the health of all people who live, work, play and learn anywhere in Dorchester, Mass.
DEHC has developed strong partnerships with a variety of local, city-wide, regional and national organizations to bring needed resources to Dorchester.
HISTORY
Since 2003, DEHC has been educating the public about urban environmental health issues and advocating for environmental justice for all of Dorchester. DEHC helps make all Dorchester healthier by improving community green space resources; by raising local air quality awareness; by advocating for public transit improvement, traffic calming, biking and walking amenities; and encouraging active living.
Some examples of the work DEHC has been involved with over the past few years -
- a new Elmhurst Children’s Playground built on vacant lots (opened July 2009)
- an air quality banner notification program in Codman Square, Fields Corner and Bowdoin Street
- a massive reconstruction project at Ashmont T station, with an adjacent privately-developed transit-oriented mixed-use building
- the Dorchester Avenue Intersection Improvement Project that will upgrade 15 intersections
- funding of dozens of Dorchester grassroots walk clubs through the Boston Public Health Commission.
In 2008, DEHC formed DotBike, a “spin-off” community bicycle advocacy group (the first of its kind in Boston) that mobilizes Dorchester cyclists to call for needed biking infrastructure improvements, like bike lanes and racks, and organizes community bike rides to help bring biking to all in Dorchester. DEHC has also helped garner Bicycle Friendly Business awards for both the Dorchester House MSC (2009) and Codman Square Health Center (2010).
~~~
Please contact DEHC if you are interested in getting involved, subscribing to our Green Dot newsletter and/or listserve to stay informed about DEHC’s activities.
Check out our online green events calendar to find out what’s happening locally. You can always get your ’green’ events listed on the calendar by contacting us by mail, phone or email.
Even though DEHC’s office is located in Fields Corner, we represent and advocate for all of Dorchester -
1452 Dorchester Avenue, 4th floor, Dorchester, MA 02122 View Map
Tel: 617-474-1478
Fax: 617-474-0465
Email: dorchesterenviro[AT]gmail.com
