The Lakeside Chautauqua Community
Lakeside Environmental Stewardship Society
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About
The Lakeside Environmental Stewardship Society (LESS) is an association devoted to improving the environment of Lakeside and the world through:
- Promoting environmental awareness through education.
- Conducting activities at Lakeside that foster love for and improvement of the environment.
- Encouraging the Lakeside Administration and Board of Directors to take environmental concerns into consideration for all activities.
- Lobbying local, state, and national legislators to pass legislation to improve the environment.
- Working with other environmental organizations to improve the environment.
Membership Information
LESS welcomes everyone interested in supporting projects and activities that promote sustainability and environmental stewardship with no dues for membership. LESS relies on donations for such projects.
If you wish to become a Friend of LESS by making a gift, you can find the donation form at the link below. You may also donate by downloading the Friends of LESS form here. All donations are 100% tax deductible.
Donation Levels:
- $25 (Single)
- $40 (Family)
- $75 (Contributing)
- $150 (Patron)
- Other___________
Additional Information
Sustainability in Lakeside
Lakeside Chautauqua is a one square mile community nestled on the shores of the Marblehead Peninsula. Since its founding in 1873, Lakeside has cared for the people, sacred grounds and the idea of being good stewards of our resources and planet.
During Lakeside’s early years, families pitched tents along the shoreline, carried in meals to cook, experienced fellowship and left the land how they found it. As cottages and buildings were built, the Lakeside community reused and cared for the resources through the years.
Sustainability is the fabric of our Chautauqua community. The way we live and care for Lakeside today affects how future generations experience Lakeside. Today, we’re sharing more information about our efforts, so that you and your family can join the movement when you visit Lakeside.
The Four Zeros
Lakeside Chautauqua is thinking big with the Net Zero Goals. It takes us all helping in small ways to become a sustainable community.
- Zero Pollution and Carbon reflects the desire to absolutely minimize pollution of our environment. Clean Water, clean air and a healthy environment for all natural forms of life must be improved and maintained. All components that we use should have no lasting harm of the environment.
- Zero Waste reflects the desire to divert all waste from landfills by minimizing consumption, maximizing the useful life of materials and encourage a virtuous cycle of material use and reuse.
- Zero Energy is part of the goal to minimize carbon dioxide and encourage sustainable energy sources. Lakeside needs to minimize energy consumption and to use sustainable energy (solar, wind, hydro, etc.)
- Zero Water reflects the desire both to minimize water use and to minimize and control stormwater runoff. Water use reduction also reduces the energy necessary to clean and deliver the water and to handle the wastewater returned.
LESS Logo Items
LESS is proud to offer logo items through Lakeside’s online shop! All proceeds from these items support LESS and sustainability in Lakeside. Items can be purchased online and will be shipped directly to you.
2026 LESS & Sustainability Events
June 24 at 1:30 p.m. – Environmental Lecture Series: Dark Skies Matter with Robin Gill
July 1 at 1:30 p.m. – Environmental Lecture Series: Wetland Carbon Budgets with Gil Boherer
July 8 at 1:30 p.m. – Environmental Lecture Series: Collectivist Response to the Climate Crisis with Dan Brown
July 15 at 1:30 p.m. – Environmental Lecture Series: Farmland Conservation Practices with Fred & Carol Miller
July 22 at 1:30 p.m. – Environmental Lecture Series: Chernobyl Consequences: Human and Environmental Impact with Michael Haritan
July 29 at 1:30 p.m. – Environmental Lecture Series: Sunshine to Electricity: Solar Energy Stories of Science, Technology, and Public Policy with Dr. Randy Ellingson
August 5 at 1:30 p.m. – Environmental Lecture Series: The Need for Climate Finance with Dan Brown
Recurring Events
- Electric Vehicle Displays – 2-4 p.m. Thursday from June 11-Aug. 27
Environmental Lecture Series
All Environmental Series lectures will take place in Orchestra Hall.
Lakeside Community Compost Program
Are you interested in participating in the Lakeside Community Compost Program? Lakeside is fortunate to be able to use Barnes Organics Recycling as our hauler. Barnes is a Class II Commercial Compost facility and accepts much more than in backyard compost bins. Click here for a list of “Barnes Food Waste Do’s and Don’ts”.
For more information about the program, contact Bonnie Heikes at [email protected] or Jim Heikes at [email protected].
Lakeside Survivor Tree
On April 26, 2017, a seedling from the Oklahoma City Survivor Tree was planted in Lakeside on the hill overlooking The Memorial Garden at Chautauqua Park. This small American Elm is intended to be a reminder to all of the faith, hope and strength of survivors who have lost loved ones. The survivor tree still thrives today. Read more.
Additional Resources
- What You Can Do About the Overwhelming Problem of Plastic Packaging – Modern Farmer
- Electric Vehicles Contribute Fewer Emissions than Gasoline-Powered Cars Over Their Lifetimes – FactCheck.org
- Lakeside Recycling
- Waste-Free Picnic in the Park
Support Lakeside Chautauqua
Lakeside Chautauqua is a nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of families, friends, volunteers and its dedicated staff. Our Chautauqua programming and upkeep of the facilities and grounds are made possible through the philanthropic support of generous Lakesiders like you.