Governor Kathy Hochul announced last week that the Town of Highlands is one the latest communities to achieve certification as part of New York State’s Climate Smart Communities Certification program, which supports local efforts to meet the economic, social, and environmental challenges posed by climate change.

They are one of 31 local governments being recognized for taking action to mitigate and adapt to climate change as New York State celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the Climate Smart Communities Certification program. 

“Over the past decade, more than 425 local communities joined state efforts to tackle the climate crisis head on through the Climate Smart Communities program, benefiting local residents and creating green jobs,” Governor Hochul said. “I congratulate this team on 10 years of implementing policies and plans that are successfully reducing greenhouse gas emissions to help build a stronger, more resilient Empire State.”

To achieve Climate Smart Community certification, local governments accumulate points for planning and implementing actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve community resilience in the face of worsening impacts of climate change.

As part of this announcement, 28 communities successfully met the criteria to be newly recognized or re-certified as leaders at the bronze level. Highlands was one of these, as were Amenia, Clinton, Croton-on-Hudson, New Castle, the County of Orange.

Town of Highlands Supervisor Bob Livsey said he was grateful for the work that not only town employees have done toward receiving the certification, but especially appreciative of the work that Olga Anderson and the Town of Highlands Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee have done.

Anderson said it is work that needs to be done.

“The Bronze Certification puts the Town of Highlands in great company with other municipalities across the state working hard to build a greener future. The Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee is committed to positive action, and with the support of our Town Board and all the town departments, we are pleased to make a difference.”