Millbrook, Washington partnering with Clinton to map natural resources

MILLBROOK — The Town of Clinton pledged to become a Climate Smart Community (CSC) in July 2017 and is getting close to earning its bronze certification. It is partnering with the Town of Washington and the Village of Millbrook, both of which made pledges to the CSC program in 2022, in developing a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) for their communities.

CSC is a New York state program helping local governments take action in reducing greenhouse gas emissions; it aids communities in adapting to climate change. Municipalities earn credits toward certification. Currently, 120 credits are required for bronze certification and 300 for silver; a standard for gold is currently being worked on.

There are 10 High Impact Actions that can be taken, but all told, with subsets, there are about 130 different elements that can be taken into account. The program offers grants, rebates for electric vehicles, and free technical assistance.

It was announced in January 2023 that Clinton, Washington, and Millbrook would be, after a competitive application process, working with conservation specialists to create NRIs for their locations. This is an integral part of planning for the future of their communities, and one step toward earning CSC certification, which can be an invaluable tool in applying for grants for conservation projects and improvements. A NRI was also recommended as part of upgrading a town’s comprehensive plan.

The NRI is part of the two-decades-old Hudson River Estuary program of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, working with Cornell University’s Department of Natural Resources. The municipalities will be given assistance through the Estuary Program’s Conservation and Land Use Team.

Working with Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCEDC), the communities applied for technical assistance that would help to demonstrate the need for updated local plans and/or policies, and would include information in areas of geology, topography, soils, water resources and wildlife habitats.

The NRI will aide in helping with wildlife, farmland and could also cover recreation sites, cultural and historic properties and scenic areas. The information will help the municipalities in planning wildlife refuges and aquifers, and fulfill other needs while being able to prioritize conservation needs and protecting what is already there.

An NRI takes into consideration an area’s natural resources such as water, trees, vegetation and animal life. It also takes looks at the cultural background and resources, and by identifying these, and mapping them, community leaders are able to make informed decisions about land use and the future of the natural habitats in the area.

Both Millbrook and Washington have earned points toward certification and the two mandatory items, after pledging to become a CSC and having that entered into the town or village records, is to set up a task force and to appoint a CSC coordinator. Both have both done this and have taken on other initiatives including installing electric charging stations at the Town Hall and engaging in Pollinators Pathway and No Mow May. They are also planning phases for composting for the Village and the Town, as well as providing training for CSC Task Force members. Many of the lighting fixtures in government buildings have been replaced with LED lighting.

Both town and village are working hard to become more adaptable to climate change and  CSC-certified. They are also taking it upon themselves to educate the residents about what they are doing and what needs to be done. To that end, they will be at the Millbrook Farmers and Makers Market several times this summer to hand out information on Saturday, July 15, and Saturday, Aug. 19.