Town of Rochester Climate Smart Task Force

HVRC would like to feature the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Task Force of the Town of Rochester.  The Town of Rochester’s Climate Smart Coordinator Julie Goldscheld and Task Force Member Nicole Ortiz have been hard at work preparing for Bronze Recertification in May.  HVRC’s CSC Coordinator Evelyn always looks forward to their emails and getting to review their progress each week.  Some of the actions they have worked towards include heat pumps, community solar subscriptions, reuse programs, environmental education and outreach, and more.  

The “Rooted in Rochester” community listening campaign, with its informative website, is featured in Rochester’s application.  This initiative serves as a great example for other municipalities looking for ways to engage community members in climate, sustainability, and environmental action.  HVRC is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Rochester’s Climate Smart journey, and our team wishes Rochester the best of luck in their pursuit of Bronze.  Applications for the current round of CSC Certification are due on May 22, 2026, with notification expected in late August 2026.

For those who submitted applications in January, announcements regarding certification are expected to be made by the NYSDEC during Earth Week in April. 

The Town of Rochester’s Climate Smart Task Force webpage.