Keeping Weston beautiful, one cleanup at a time

What started as an individual effort from one family in 2024 to clean up conservation land near their home, has now turned into a growing effort to Keep Weston Beautiful.

In spring of that year, Evan and Lucas Shi set out on the road near their house to pick up trash, earning a shout-out in the Weston Conservation newsletter. Two years later, Evan, now a senior at Weston High School, has been working with his father Eric to launch Keep Weston Beautiful, a chapter of the organization Keep Massachusetts Beautiful.

“Climate change has been a big topic for a while now, and I wanted to contribute,” Evan said. “Whenever I drive by a big road, I see a lot of trash along the sides. No one seems to be picking the trash up – although I think the town might be sometimes – so I thought I’d step up and organize these cleanups to clean up our town.”

Evan, who is also on the rowing team and plays clarinet in the wind ensemble, said he created the chapter with his dad because an adult has to lead the group.

Keep Weston Beautiful held its first cleanup on Memorial Day, drawing around 15 volunteers to pick trash up alongside roads in town. The group’s second cleanup came on Labor Day, where they set out to Norumbega Road to pick up trash alongside the road and the Charles River.

Among the items the group has picked up: shards of broken glass, sports card trading packs, nip bottles, Dunkin’ cups, a wide assortment of plastic, car tires and a bed frame.

Keep Weston Beautiful also has a fundraising component to raise money for supplies, educational outreach and other projects. The chapter also has to pay an annual membership fee to the parent organization. The group held its second annual yard sale at the Josiah Smith Tavern in June. Eric Shi said Sophie Sima, a WHS student, has been a key youth leader for the group’s fundraising efforts.

Eric Shi also highlighted youth leader YanTing Chang, as well adult leaders Jing Yu, Christine Brandt, and Lei Ci for their contributions to Keep Weston Beautiful.

The chapter, in collaboration with the Conservation Commission is hosting its next cleanup at the Westgate Church and Wellesley Street on Columbus Day from 10 to 11 a.m. There will be trash bags and tools on hand, but residents are encouraged to bring their own. Other recommended items include gloves and grabbing tools. Snacks and water will be provided.

Evan said folks should get involved because it’s an opportunity to give back to their town.

“Weston prides itself on being this very green space, and we are contributing to that through the cleanup,” he said. “By contributing to us, you also contribute to cleaning up your community.”

Eric added that while climate change can be an overwhelming issue, local groups can band together to make a difference in their communities. As a bonus, it’s a chance to meet neighbors.

“It’s a big topic, but we have to do something small, something in our control…With this kind of platform we can get all the people who want to do this together,” Eric said. “We have the same goal; neighbors can get together and get to know each other. It’s fun.”

For more information about Keep Weston Beautiful, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/keepwestonbeautiful or its Instagram page @keep_weston_beautiful.

Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled the Shi’s name.