{"id":9021,"date":"2019-12-26T16:51:51","date_gmt":"2019-12-26T16:51:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cityofbeacon.org\/?page_id=9021"},"modified":"2025-07-16T10:37:46","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T14:37:46","slug":"sustainability","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/beaconny.gov\/index.php\/departments\/sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]\r\n

The City of Beacon is striving to become a more sustainable community. Below is an explanation of some of the projects we are undertaking to accomplish our goals. To learn more about any of these initiatives, or to find out how you can get involved, please contact Faye Leone, Beacon’s Climate Smart Coordinator at beaconclimate@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

You can sign up to receive updates on Beacon’s sustainability efforts here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

In 2023, the City of Beacon produced an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions from our government operations. View the results here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

In 2024, the City of Beacon finalized a Government Operations Climate Action Plan. View the final report here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"City of Beacon Composting Program<\/h3>\r\n

The City of Beacon began its Compost Program in 2022 and has been expanded since that time. The Program currently features both backyard bins and community drop sites for compostable waste. The program is being managed by the Conservation Advisory Committee with funding from the City of Beacon.<\/p>\r\n

For more detail on the program and for information on how you can participate in the program, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Sustainability and Climate Resilience Vision<\/h3>\r\n

Climate change continues to be a big threat to the Hudson Valley, and the City of Beacon, with an expected increase in temperature, more extreme precipitation, and rising sea level over the next few decades. In preparation for these climate hazards, the City of Beacon has taken the initiative to reach out to residents and stakeholders to create a Sustainability and Climate Resilience Vision. A Sustainability and Climate Resilience Vision gathers community input on what a sustainable and climate resilient city would look like in the future. Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, the City of Beacon, and Green Beacon Coalition engaged 52 residents and stakeholders of the City of Beacon through various outreach methods over a period of three months to gather input on these topics (Appendix A). From this input, the following vision and guiding principles were created to ensure that sustainability and climate resilience progress is consistent with the community\u2019s desired outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

DRAFT Sustainability and Climate Resilience Vision<\/a><\/p>\r\n

FINAL DRAFT Sustainability and Climate Resilience Vision (December 2020)<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Silver-certified CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITY<\/h3>\r\n

Beacon is certified as a silver-level\u00a0NY Certified Climate Smart Community<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Greenhouse Gas Inventories<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

The City has developed greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories for both community and municipal operations. The inventories are part of ongoing sustainability efforts by the City, and an important step toward meeting our climate targets. The inventories will inform planning for energy savings and emissions reductions and set an updated baseline from which the city can measure progress.<\/p>\r\n

2012 – 2018 Inventory of Community and Municipal Operations Greenhouse Gas Emissions\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\r\n

2019 Inventory of Municipal Operations Greenhouse Gas Emissions<\/a><\/p>\r\n

2021 Inventory of Municipal Operations Greenhouse Gas Emissions<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n

Conservation Advisory Committee<\/h3>\r\n

Appointed by the Mayor, the committee advises Beacon on conservation issues. They recently completed a Natural Resources Inventory and are serving as the Climate Smart Taskforce. Their meetings are open to the public. For more information, please visit the Conservation Advisory Committee web page<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Newsletter<\/h3>\r\n

The City of Beacon Sustainability Department began publishing a Sustainability Newsletter in the summer of 2020.<\/p>\r\n

Summer \/ Fall 2021 City of Beacon Sustainability Newsletter \ud83c\udf0d Summer\/Fall 2021<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Winter 2021 –\u00a0https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/af02f23a1281\/city-of-beacon-sustainability-newsletter-fall-9536742<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Fall 2020 –\u00a0https:\/\/us4.campaign-archive.com\/?u=804cbf1af96c67e914eb525a3&id=8bec9c8fc9<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Summer 2020 –\u00a0https:\/\/us4.campaign-archive.com\/?u=804cbf1af96c67e914eb525a3&id=9f90a3673b<\/a><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Pollinating Beacon<\/h3>\r\n

The Pollinator Pathway Working Group launched in 2023 helps Beacon residents, schools, and others develop more pollinator-friendly environments. The Working Group\u2019s activities include:<\/p>\r\n