Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announces new round of public meetings to shape climate adaptation and resiliency efforts across the county

Monroe County, New York – Monroe County is once again turning to its residents for guidance as it pushes forward with a long-term plan to prepare for a changing climate. County Executive Adam Bello has announced a second round of public meetings aimed at gathering community input on the county’s Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Plan, commonly referred to as CARP.

The initiative, led by the Department of Environmental Services, is designed to take a closer look at how climate change could affect everyday life across Monroe County. From infrastructure and public programs to environmental and human services, the plan seeks to identify weak points and chart a practical path forward. At its core, CARP is about readiness—understanding risks now and building systems that can withstand what lies ahead.

The county has already laid groundwork through earlier phases of its Climate Action Plan, but officials say this next step is different. It shifts the focus from reducing emissions to adapting to real-world impacts that are already beginning to take shape. Rising temperatures, stronger storms, and shifting environmental conditions are no longer distant concerns. They are current challenges that demand local solutions.

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“Our county has made significant progress to reduce its carbon footprint and create a more sustainable environment. From reducing greenhouse gas emissions from county fleet vehicles to saving energy at county buildings and facilities and improving sustainable materials management to reduce waste, we have been busy working toward the goals set by the Climate Action Plan,” said County Executive Bello. “At these upcoming meetings, I encourage everyone to get involved in this critical process and help us transform Monroe County into a cleaner and healthier community for generations to come.”

The upcoming meetings are structured to be more than just presentations. County officials plan to engage residents directly through interactive activities that explore climate vulnerabilities across different parts of the region. Attendees will have the chance to share local knowledge—what floods, what overheats, what struggles during extreme weather—and contribute ideas that could shape future policies and projects.

Five meetings are scheduled over a two-week span, giving residents multiple opportunities to attend. The first will take place on April 28 at the Chili Community Center in Rochester from 6 to 7 p.m. The following evening, April 29, the discussion moves to the Webster Public Library, also from 6 to 7 p.m. In early May, three additional sessions will be held: May 5 at the Arnett Branch Library in Rochester from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., May 6 at the Parma Public Library in Hilton from 6 to 7 p.m., and May 7 at the Perinton Community Center in Fairport during the same evening hours.

County leaders are making an effort to ensure that these meetings are accessible to as many people as possible. Assistive technologies, translation services, American Sign Language interpretation, and other adaptive supports are available upon request. Residents can arrange these services by contacting Emma Falkenstein from Highland Planning.

Beyond the scheduled meetings, the county is also taking its outreach on the road. Throughout April and May, the Department of Environmental Services team will appear at several public events, offering another way for residents to learn about the plan and provide feedback. These include Earth Day celebrations, environmental fairs, and community gatherings across the county.

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On April 18, the team will be present at Earth Day events at the Seneca Park Zoo and Monroe Community College’s Sustainability Fix It Fair. A week later, on April 25, they will attend both the Town of Gates Eco-fest and the Village of Honeoye Falls Environmental Fair. Early May brings additional appearances at the Town of Penfield’s EV Car Show and Arbor Day Celebration, followed by two dates at the Rochester Lilac Festival on May 9 and May 16.

Most of these events are free and open to the public, offering a relaxed setting for residents to engage with county officials. The only exception is the Earth Day event at the Seneca Park Zoo, which requires standard zoo admission.

Officials stress that public input is not just encouraged—it is essential. Climate adaptation plans, they say, are only as strong as the communities they serve. Local insight can reveal patterns and problems that data alone might miss.

As Monroe County moves deeper into this planning process, the message from leadership remains clear: resilience is a shared responsibility. The choices made now, informed by the voices of residents, will shape how the county responds to environmental challenges for decades to come.