Adam Bello announces nine recipients of Monroe County’s first Community Climate Action Fund pilot program

Monroe County, New York – Monroe County is putting new funding behind local environmental projects, with County Executive Adam Bello announcing the first recipients of the county’s Community Climate Action Fund.

The pilot program is providing matching grants for new or expanded projects connected to Phase II of the Monroe County Climate Action Plan. The county says the funding is intended to help municipalities reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also supporting projects involving natural resources, transportation, energy efficiency, stormwater management and community spaces.

The county announced nine grant applications involving municipalities across the area. The awards include the towns of Brighton, Chili, Gates, Greece, Irondequoit, Penfield, Perinton and Pittsford, the Village of Hilton, and the City of Rochester through a joint project with Greece. Because Greece and Rochester applied together, the county counts the awards as nine applications even though 10 local governments are involved.

“Climate action is most effective when it starts in local neighborhoods and communities,” said County Executive Bello. “These grants will help our towns, villages and the City of Rochester turn good ideas into real projects that make our communities healthier, more sustainable and more affordable. Thank you to every municipality that applied and our Department of Environmental Services for launching this new program and helping bring these projects to life. These projects are an example of what can be accomplished when different levels of government come together around a shared goal.”

The awards total $101,800 in county funding, with municipalities contributing another $131,300 in matching cash. Together, the nine projects represent a total projected cost of $233,100. The county’s program allows municipalities to receive up to $10,000 in matching funds, while joint applications can qualify for a higher award based on the number of participating municipalities.

The projects vary considerably, reflecting the different environmental needs of communities around Monroe County.

In Brighton, the funding will support an effort to expand tree cover through the community Tree Nursery and its Tree Ambassador program. Chili will use its award for an electrification pilot involving parks maintenance equipment, replacing fossil-fuel-powered equipment with electric alternatives.

Gates will conduct a stormwater and flood resilience study aimed at recurring flooding problems affecting residential neighborhoods, transportation infrastructure and other community assets. The project is intended to give the town a clearer picture of the challenges it faces and help guide future work.

Read also: RIT freshman imaging project gives first-year students hands-on experience with real-world innovation

Greece and the City of Rochester are working together on a feasibility and planning study for a potential connection between the NYS Route 390 Multi-Use Trail and the Empire State Trail. The study will examine extending the existing trail from its current southern end near Ridgeway Avenue and Latona Road toward the Erie Canal and the Empire State Trail in Rochester. The joint project has a $30,000 county award and a projected total cost of $60,000.

Other communities are focusing on electric vehicle infrastructure and public spaces.

Irondequoit will install an electric vehicle charger at McAvoy Park, a town-owned athletic complex. Penfield will install a dual-port charging station at the Clark House on Clark Road, including one standard parking space and one ADA-compliant space.

Pittsford’s project will involve planting native trees and establishing another pollinator garden. The project is intended to provide habitat and support birds, bees and other wildlife.

In Hilton, the grant will help fund historic window replacement at the Hilton Community Center. The work is designed to improve energy efficiency while maintaining or enhancing the building’s historic preservation standards.

Perinton’s project is perhaps the most visible example of how the program can combine environmental work with improvements to a community space. The county announced the awards at the Garnsey Road Arboretum, where Town Supervisor Jenn Townsend joined Bello.

The county funding will help Perinton convert about 7 to 8 acres of maintained turf at the Garnsey Arboretum into a low-mow native grassland. The project also includes defined trails for birdwatching. The changes are expected to reduce mowing while creating additional habitat for native plants and wildlife.

“The Garnsey Arboretum is treasured Open Space in Perinton, and this funding gives us an opportunity to thoughtfully explore its next chapter while preserving the natural character that makes it so special,” said Perinton Town Supervisor Jenn Townsend. “By exploring low-mow and naturalized areas, we can reduce mowing and associated emissions while supporting native habitat and biodiversity. As we move forward, we look forward to engaging our neighbors, the broader community and our Sustainability Advisory Board to help shape the future of the Arboretum. We’re grateful to County Executive Bello and Monroe County for investing in sustainability at the local level.”

The Community Climate Action Fund is part of the county’s broader Climate Action Plan. Phase I, completed in 2022, concentrated on greenhouse gas emissions connected to county-owned sites, facilities, vehicles and operations. Phase II, completed in 2024, expanded the focus to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal activity, as well as other energy-dependent activities throughout Monroe County. The second phase includes nearly 100 actions municipalities can pursue individually or with partners.

Read also: Final ROC the Block employment fair brings 168 employers and community resources to Parcel 5 Wednesday

The new fund was created to help put some of those plans into practice at the local level. County officials also encouraged municipalities to work with neighboring communities, organizations and other partners when developing projects.

The Climate Action Fund has received support from members of the Monroe County Legislature since its creation.

“By creating the Community Climate Action Fund, Monroe County demonstrated its commitment to our plan’s implementation. That 9 municipalities responded to the grant opportunity shows that progress will happen when we work together. I am grateful for the leadership from these community partners and I look forward to future successes,” said Legislator Hughes-Smith, Chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee.

“Each action changes the trajectory of our carbon footprint,” said Legislator Baynes, Chair of the Recreation and Education Committee.

“Climate action is most meaningful when residents can see and experience the benefits right in their own communities. This funding gives our towns and villages the opportunity to turn good ideas into tangible projects that strengthen our neighborhoods, protect our natural resources, and make Monroe County more sustainable for the next generation,” said Legislator Bartholomew McCoy. “I’m proud to support an initiative that puts resources directly into our communities and encourages municipalities to work together toward a healthier, more resilient future.”

“The Community Climate Action Fund provides key matching support for municipalities like Perinton to advance locally developed projects,” said Legislator Richard Milne. “That keeps the focus and decision-making where they belong – at the local level, with attention to the project, its cost, and the results it delivers for our community. I look forward to seeing communities across Monroe County use this opportunity to put local plans into action and deliver meaningful results close to home.”

The county’s program is structured so that grant money supplements rather than replaces funds already committed to projects. Municipalities must provide at least 50% of eligible project costs through cash matching funds, and successful applicants will receive county funding through reimbursement after meeting program requirements.

With the first round of awards now announced, the Community Climate Action Fund is moving from planning into implementation. The projects range from tree planting and habitat restoration to electric vehicle infrastructure, energy upgrades, trail planning and flood resilience.

Taken together, the awards show how a countywide climate plan can translate into smaller projects at the municipal level, where residents are more likely to see the work taking shape in parks, trails, public buildings and neighborhood infrastructure.