HELP ADVANCE CLIMATE ACTION IN MONROE COUNTY
Get Involved!
Implementation of the Climate Action Plan and development of the Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Plan relies on participation from a wide range of community members. Learn how you can get involved with the opportunities below!
Upcoming Events:
March 15th, 2026, 945 AM to 1045AM
Sunday Forum - Reducing Greenhouse Gases: Making the County Sustainable
Downtown United Presbyterian Church - 121 N. Fitzhugh St., Shaw Room (second floor)
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Madison Quinn, Monroe County's Sustainability Coordinator, will speak at the Sunday Forum of the Downtown United Presbyterian Church to provide an update on environmental sustainability projects and programs underway for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency.
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This event is free and open to the public
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April 18th, 2026, 10 AM to 4PM
Earth Day at Seneca Park Zoo
2222 Saint Paul St., Rochester, NY 14621
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Monroe County's Sustainability Division Staff and Solid Waste Division Staff will be at the Seneca Park Zoo to tell park-goers about the County's climate action efforts, recycling initiatives, and more! ​
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This event is included in the price of admission into Seneca Park Zoo
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​April 25th, 2026, 11 AM to 3 PM
Village of Honeoye Falls - Environmental Fair
Harry Allen Park - 23 N. Main St., Honeoye Falls, NY 14472​
Nate Jones of Monroe County's Sustainability Division will be tabling in Harry Allen Park for the Village of Honeoye Falls' Environmental Fair, coinciding with national Earth Week. Stop by and learn about progress being made in climate efforts in your Monroe County community. There will be a free tree sapling give away and many other booths to provide environmental information and showcase local efforts to support the environment.
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This event is free and open to the public.
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​April 25th, 2026, 10 AM to 1 PM
Town of Gates - Earth Day Eco-Fest 2026
Gates YMCA - 920 Elmgrove Rd., Rochester, NY 14624
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Sustainability Coordinator- Madison Quinn will be tabling at this year's Gates Ecofest, alongside 'green' vendors, arts and crafts stations using recycled materials, and more! Learn about the County's current climate efforts, as well as repair cafe popups, and the Keep Gates Clean initiative.
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This event is free and open to the public.
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May 2nd, 2026, 10 AM to 2 PM
Town of Penfield - EV Car Show and Arbor Day Celebration
Penfield Community Center - 1985 Baird Rd., Penfield, NY 14526
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Sustainability Coordinator- Madison Quinn and Sustainability Engineer- Nate Jones are pleased to table at this year's Penfield EV Car Show and Arbor Day Celebration. Check out EVs and the latest and greatest technology in this field, hear testimonies by actual EV owners, and visit your County Staff's table to mingle about the County's climate action, adaptation, and resiliency efforts.
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This event is free and open to the public
​February 9th, 2026, 630 PM to 730 PM
A Changing Climate + You (Color Westside Green)
Parma Public Library - Meeting Room, 7 West Ave, Hilton, NY 14468​
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In collaboration with Color Westside Green, Madison Quinn and Nate Jones of Monroe County's Sustainability Department provided a presentation and lead provocative discussions on the CAP, CARP, and other sustainability initiatives by the County. This meeting provided residents an opportunity to engage with impassioned professionals and fellow residents taking part in climate action.
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​January 17th, 2026, 11 AM to 3 PM
Monroe County WINTERFEST
Mendon Ponds Parks, 95 Douglas Road, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472​
​This family-oriented event is held annually at Mendon Ponds Park with winter-related activities throughout the park including games, local food trucks, live music, demonstrations, sledding, hayrides and more. Sustainability Engineer- Nate Jones tabled in the East Lodge this year and the weather was sunny and not too cold!
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November 18, 2025, 6 PM to 7:30 PM
CARP - Public Engagement Meeting #1
The Children’s School of Rochester, School #15, 85 Hillside Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610
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The meeting included a brief presentation introducing the CARP and outlining of the priorities for the Plan. Attendees were invited to participate in interactive activities to better understand the public’s experiences and concerns related to climate change and explore ideas for a more climate-resilient Monroe County.
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View the presentation recording
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November 16th, 2025, 1 PM to 4 PM
Rochester Area Interfaith Climate Action Summit (RAICA): Hope, Resilience and Resistance in a Time of Climate Crisis
Temple B'rith Kodesh, 2131 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14618 ​
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Monroe County Sustainability Engineer Nate Jones tabled- providing information about Monroe County's Climate Action Plan, the upcoming Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Plan and how to get involved and have your voice heard in your county!
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November 12, 2025, 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM
Join Color Brighton Green for a presentation by Madison Quinn, Sustainability Coordinator for Monroe County
2300 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14618​
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Monroe County Sustainability Coordinator- Madison Quinn presented to Color Brighton Green and those interested in learning about current Climate Action Plan implementation projects occurring and next steps in the County's sustainability program, including the complementary Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Plan. ​
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October 26th, 2025, 4:30 PM to 7 PM
Halloween At The Market
Rochester Public Market - 280 N. Union St ​
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Monroe County Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) Sustainability and Solid Waste Department's teamed up, in costumes, to table and share information about Monroe County's Climate Action Plan, Ecopark/Recycling, the upcoming Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Plan and other County sustainability efforts!
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Learn more at Halloween at the Market
October 4th & 5th, 2025, 10 AM to 5 PM
Hilton Apple Festival
Henry St., Hilton, NY, 14468​
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Monroe County Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) will be tabling and sharing information about Monroe County's Climate Action Plan, Ecopark/Recycling, the upcoming Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Plan and other County sustainability efforts!
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Learn more at hiltonapplefest.org​​​​​
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September 14, 2025
Monroe County Day at the Brockport Farmers Market
Brockport Farmer's Market, Main Street, Brockport, NY​​
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Monroe County Legislator Jackie Smith and the Brockport Farmers Market hosted a special Monroe County Day—bringing county departments and community organizations together for a morning of fresh produce, helpful resources, and local connections.
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The Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) was one of multiple county departments at this event raising awareness to "Recycle Right," what to bring to the Ecopark, the Climate Action Plan, and the upcoming Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Plan!
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Learn more on the Village of Brockport website
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September 13, 2025
Rochester EV Show for National Drive Electric Month
Henrietta Town Hall, 475 Calkins Road, Henrietta, NY​
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Monroe County Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) tabled and brought our new EV Chevy Equinox to the Car Show, where we informed the public about Monroe County's Climate Action Plan, Ecopark/Recycling, the upcoming Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Plan and our plans to "green our fleet"! It served as an excellent opportunity to speak with other EV owners, vendors, and community organizations and learn about the federal EV incentives before they expire.
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Learn more at RocEVShow.org
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August 24, 2025
VegFest
Parcel 5, 285 East Main Street, Rochester, NY
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Monroe County Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) was at the 5th Rochester VegFest – a 1-day all-vegan festival featuring speakers, food demos, food and craft vendors, and more in downtown Rochester.
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Learn more on the VegFest website.
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August 3-9, 2025
Farmers Market Week
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Monroe County Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) had an information table at farmers markets throughout the region and learn more about Monroe County's Climate Action Plan, Ecopark/Recycling, Organics Management Plan, and the upcoming Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Plan!​
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August 5 – Westside Farmers Market, 19th Ward, Rochester
4-7PM St. Monica’s Church, 831 Genesee Street​​
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August 7 - Irondequoit Farmers Market
4-7 PM Irondequoit Town Hall, 1280 Titus Avenue
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August 9 - Webster Farmers Market
8:30 AM-1 PM Webster Towne Center, 1028 Ridge Road​​
​July 26, 2025
Bridging Communities: A Riverside Celebration
Driving Park Bridge, Driving Park Ave, Rochester, NY
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Genesee Land Trust hosted their 2nd annual Bridging Communities event on July 26 from 12-4 pm. It was a beautiful day and Monroe County Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) enjoyed speaking to neighbors about the Climate Action Plan, Ecopark, Recycling, the Organics Management Plan, and the upcoming Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Plan!
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Visit the Genesee Land Trust website for full event details!
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​June 26, 2025
Irondequoit Eco-Fair
Town Hall, Irondequoit, NY
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The Monroe County DES team was happy to participate in the 2025 Irondequoit Eco-Fair on June 26 from 4-7 pm. rain or shine! Attendees were invited to learn more about Monroe County's Climate Action Plan, Recycling, Organics Management Plan, and the upcoming Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Plan!
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Visit the Color Irondequoit Green website for full event details
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​June 26, 2025
Brighton Eco-Fair
Brighton Farmers Market, Brighton High School Parking Lot
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We were happy to attend the 2025 Brighton Eco-Fair on June 22 from 9am-1pm! The Monroe County Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) table offered opportunities to learn more about Monroe County's Climate Action Plan, How to Recycle Right, the Organics Management Plan currently under development, and the upcoming Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Plan!
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Visit the Color Brighton Green website for full event details
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​April 26, 2025
Town of Penfield Electric Vehicle Show and Arbor Day Celebration
Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Rd, Penfield, NY
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Drive Electric EV Car Show in Penfield, was held in combination with the Town of Penfield's Arbor Day and Earth Day celebration on April 26 from 10am-2pm! Monroe County Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) and Weights & Measures teams were there to share more more about Monroe County's Climate Action Plan and efforts to implement and maintain EV charging infrastructure!
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Visit the Town of Penfield website for full event details
Recent Past Events:
Have Your Voice Heard:
Ongoing, 2024-2025
MONROE COUNTY ORGANIC MANAGEMENT PLAN (OMP)
The OMP is being developed by the Solid Waste Division of Monroe County Dept of Environmental Services, with support from the NYS Climate Smart Communities Program
​Ongoing 2025-2026
MONROE COUNTY CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCY PLAN (CARP)
Fall 2025 through Spring 2026 will bring more opportunities to engage in climate planning and have your voice heard as we work to develop the CARP, which will complement the Monroe County CAP. There will be multiple opportunities to get involved in the planning process throughout the development of the CARP, including three dedicated public workshops. Look out for Monroe County DES at community events over the coming months too and sign up for the email list to receive updates on upcoming events!
*Stay tuned for more events, coming soon!
Archived Events - CARP
November 18th, 2025 @12PM & 6PM
CARP PUBLIC WORKSHOP #1
WHAT?
We held two meetings: one virtual and one in person.
At these meetings we provided an outline and roadmap to completing the CARP in 2026, including an overview of the climate vulnerability assessment, explanations on climate-exacerbated hazards, and interactive portions for attendees to participate.
MISSED IT?
​Below are links to the recording of the 12 PM virtual session and presentation slides. You can also review the Q&A session here.
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​Frequently Asked Questions found here!
SURVEY LAUNCHED!
We also launched a survey for County residents to help us identify areas vulnerable to climate-exacerbated hazards within Monroe County and how these hazards have directly affected residents.
Archived Events - CAP
May 8, 2024 @12PM & 5PM
CAP PUBLIC WORKSHOP #3
WHAT?
We held two meetings: one virtual and one in person.
At these meetings we introduced the draft CAP, including the GHG inventory, goals and strategies, and next steps.
MISSED IT?
Below are links to the recording of the 12 PM virtual session and presentation slides.
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July 26th, 2023 @12PM & 6PM
CAP PUBLIC WORKSHOP #2
WHAT?
We held two meetings: one virtual and one in person.
At these meetings we provided an update on project progress, presented preliminary GHG inventory results, and introduced the proposed plan framework.
MISSED IT?
Below are links to the recording of the 12 PM virtual session and presentation slides. You can also review the Q&A session here.
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SURVEY LAUNCHED!
We also launched a goals & actions survey to get feedback on implementation strategies.
View the Public Workshop Activity Boards here! Note: You can provide feedback on the boards via the survey.
March 15th, 2023 @12PM & 6PM
CAP PUBLIC WORKSHOP #1
WHAT?
We held two virtual workshop sessions to kick-off the communitywide CAP. Attendees learned about the importance of addressing climate change, what's been completed for the Phase I CAP, and what's planned for Phase II.
MISSED IT?
That's okay! You can watch the recordings via the links below.
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WHO WAS THERE?
The meeting was hosted by the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee and led by the consultant team with support by County DES and Planning Staff.
Check out the live polling results to see who attended and what we heard during the meetings.
VIEW THE ARCHIVED DISCUSSION!
The Ideas Wall was used to collect community input during the development of the Climate Action Plan