By the Bronxville Green Committee

Jan. 24, 2024: As we look ahead to 2024, we are also taking a moment to reflect on our busy 2023 and the important accomplishments that will help lead us to an even greener new year!

Our mission is to advise the Village Trustees on issues of environmental health and sustainability and help to propose and implement sustainable programs in our community. Here’s a quick recap of our work in 2023:

-Awarded Grant! $5,000 awarded through a Clean Energy Communities (NYSERDA) program for completion of four high impact actions in their program. The money was allocated to offset the cost of planting public trees around the Village. 

-NYS Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Status: Bronxville was awarded Climate Smart Communities Bronze Certification in September 2022, the first level of achievement in this NYS program which provides a framework for tackling climate change and sustainability in local municipalities. In late 2023, the CSC Task Force submitted work for 21 action steps —11 actions requesting recertification and 10 new actions. Upon approval, Bronxville’s Bronze status will remain active, and the Village will be significantly closer to the 300 points required for Silver status.

-Climate Action Plan for Municipal Operations: We worked with NY State coordinators to develop and present to the Trustees a comprehensive climate action plan, incorporating the municipal greenhouse gas inventory we completed last year and identifying 30 steps the Village should consider taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030. The Trustees adopted the plan in November 2023, indicating their commitment to this goal and to keeping Bronxville sustainable and safe.

-Recycling & Waste Reduction: Promoted local recycling rules and programs to reduce community waste – specifically expanding the Village’s residential Food Scrap Recycling program (we’ve collected more than 60 tons of food scraps since the program began two years ago!) and overseeing two successful community TAKE BACK DAYs.

-Healthy Yards: Expanded our native plant garden at Alfredo Park, off Archer Place, by replacing aggressive invasive plants with native plants that support local wildlife such as native bees, butterflies, iridescent wasps, and hummingbirds. Promoted Arbor Day, helping Bronxville maintain its designation as a Tree City USA

-Giving Garden: Successfully grew and donated 600 pounds of organic produce to Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon and Eastchester Community Action Program (ECAP) in Tuckahoe. Hosted local preschool kids to help create awareness and education around the garden – and for a little springtime fun!

-Community Engagement & Outreach: Promoted Village and Green Committee programs through various communications, including 24 articles in My Hometown Bronxville, monthly updates in the Village newsletter, and on Instagram @bxvgreencommittee; coordinated numerous community events, such as Compost Give Back Day, and maintained important local partnerships to promote sustainability in our community.

Please visit our website for more information about our programs and the resources available to residents. Many thanks to the dozens of volunteers who contributed to our efforts this year. Please consider joining us as we continue this important work.

We are Bronxville Strong & Sustainable – protecting what we love!

The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. We work to propose and implement environmentally sustainable programs in our community. Visit our website to learn more. Please consider joining our efforts!