The Town of North Hempstead is proud to announce that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has officially designated North Hempstead as a bronze-certified Climate Smart Community. This new certification comes after many years of tireless work throughout the community to ensure that North Hempstead is doing all that it can to build a more resilient, sustainable local environment.
“The Town’s designation as a Bronze certified Climate Smart Community is the culmination of significant hard work and dedication by both our Climate Smart Communities Task Force, as well as the Town Board,” Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said. “I want to thank the members of the Task Force for their invaluable contributions toward this significant milestone, and I look forward to continuing to advance the Town’s sustainability efforts through numerous environmental initiatives as we look to protect our environment for generations to come.”
“A significant priority for me as an elected official has been the protection and preservation of our local environment,” said Council Member Veronica Lurvey. “Since the Town Board created the Climate Smart Communities Task Force in 2021, the Town has been heading toward bronze certification through a variety of important environmental projects. I am so proud of all of the work we have done to become a bronze-certified Climate Smart Community, and I can promise that the Town will continue to work diligently to preserve and promote a resilient local environment for future generations to enjoy.”
“For years, North Hempstead has exemplified its dedication to environmental stewardship, and today’s bronze certification as a Climate Smart Community by the NYSDEC is a testament to our collective efforts,” said Council Member Mariann Dalimonte. “We’ve embraced sustainable practices, reduced our carbon footprint, and fostered a resilient local environment. As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding this beautiful community for generations to come.”
To become a bronze-certified Climate Smart Community, local governments must meet certain requirements set by the NYSDEC. The program provides guidance to local governments on best practices for mitigating and adapting to climate change. Per the NYSDEC, “Certified communities are the foremost leaders in the state; they have gone beyond the CSC pledge by completing and documenting a suite of actions that mitigate and adapt to climate change at the local level.”
The Town of North Hempstead has been at the forefront of environmental conservation on Long Island. Some of North Hempstead’s recent environmental initiatives include:
- Using multiple alternative fuel vehicles, such as plug-in hybrid and battery electric cars, for municipal business.
- Participating in a Solarize North Hempstead campaign to reduce solar project costs through joint purchasing.
- Completing energy code enforcement training on best practices for code compliance officers and other municipal officers.
- Adopting a benchmarking policy to track and report the energy use of the Town’s municipal buildings.
- Using goats to help remove invasive species from Town property without the use of pesticides.
- Raising and releasing quail to combat the increasing tick population.
- Adopting a local law that prohibits landscapers and Town employees from to operating gas-powered leaf blowers between June 15 and September 15 to reduce noise and air pollution and gasoline usage during times when the public spends peak time outdoors.
- Adopting a new Townwide tree policy that safeguards our tree canopy throughout the Town.
- Installing native plantings and pollinator gardens each year in our park system to provide habitat for pollinators, absorb stormwater and greenhouse gases, reduce irrigation and inputs like fertilizers, and beautify our properties.
- Hosting home sustainability educational workshops each year on sustainable yard care, gardening with native plants, and creating rain gardens.
- Selling discounted rain barrels and composters to residents to help reduce waste, decrease stormwater pollution and conserve water.
- Replacing lights throughout the Town – including in Town Buildings, exterior lights, and street lights – with LED lights.
- Hosting a recycling program designed to properly dispose of Number 5 plastics.
- Adopting an Organics Management Plan to reduce food waste and lessen the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Repopulating Manhasset Bay with oysters to enhance water quality.