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Welcome
Welcome
The Columbia County Climate Smart Communities Task Force was established by the Board of Supervisors - "...to serve as the central body that promotes and supports climate mitigation, adaptation, and education in the community, and advises the County Government on undertaking plans, programs, and activities that are part of the CSC program".
The Task Force is currently working on over half a dozen climate related projects, and contemplating more. Within these pages you'll find more information about these projects, the Task Force, and our future plans.
If you want to find out how your community is involved with Climate Smart Communities you can visit our Community Links page.
If you want to find out how your community is involved with Climate Smart Communities you can visit our Community Links page.
If you want to learn more about how to help mitigate and adapt to climate change by taking action yourself, please visit our How You Can Help page.
If you want to learn more about how to help mitigate and adapt to climate change by taking action yourself, please visit our How You Can Help page.
Upcoming Meetings
Upcoming Meetings
The next Columbia County Climate Smart Task Force meeting will be held on Thursday, March 5th, at 10:00 am.
All our meetings are held virtually .
A YouTube link for live public viewing will be posted here shortly before each meeting: https://www.youtube.com/live/bxdlZUXeSy0
Recordings are posted to our YouTube channel shortly after each meeting.
Last updated 2026-02-27
Celebrate Earth Day!
Celebrate Earth Day!
For 2026, the Columbia County Climate Smart Task Force is promoting the many Earth Day, Earth Week, and Arbor Day events happening all around the county.
If your municipality or organization is planning an event during the weeks surrounding Earth Day, let us know and we can add it to the list.
Earth Day Tree Plantings for County Municipalities
Earth Day Tree Plantings for County Municipalities
Columbia County Soil & Water Conservation District is offering County municipalities hosting an Earth Day event one native ball and burlap, or 10 gallon potted tree for planting on municipal grounds.
Trees will be 7-10 ft tall, generally above deer browse height, and will be delivered by CCSWCD to the planting location. Applicants may select among a small list of native species that best suits each location. Applicants are expected to prepare the planting area, plant the tree, amend the soil with compost as needed, mulch the area around the tree, protect it as necessary from deer and mower damage, and ensure it has sufficient water for the entire first growing season, or until fully established. The site must be accessible to achieve tree delivery and later watering by municipal volunteers or staff.
We would like to see a tree planted in every town, village and city in the county!
We would like to see a tree planted in every town, village and city in the county!
There is more information in the downloadable application. Applications must be submitted to CCSWCD by March 10th. Contact Dylan Cipkowski (dylan.cipkowski@ccswcd.org 518-267-3315) if you have any questions.
Municipalities with plans to Plant a Tree:
Municipalities with plans to Plant a Tree:
Taghkanic - Wed. April 22 10am, at Taghkanic Town Hall, Route 82
Stockport - Fri. April 24, at Masten Park on Route 9, Columbiaville
Clermont - Sun. April 26, at Clermont Field on Route 6
Other Events:
Other Events:
April 18th - Copake CAC/CSC will be showing the documentary "The Little Things That Run The World" at the Copake Grange at 10am. See the 1-minute trailer. Flyer coming soon
April 18th - Austerlitz Earth Day Festival - Austerlitz, Canaan, Chatham, Ghent, and Philmont Climate Smart Committees will be hosting a day of events from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM including a continuou screening of "The Extraordinary Caterpillar" at the Spencertown Academy. See the flyer for the schedule, list of organizations, and contacts.
April 25th - Valatie Climate Smart is organizing a tree planting near the Knox Gun Crossing marker located in Pachaquack Preserve. This is one of the historical markers commemorating the Henry Knox Trail, the route where Gen. Knox transported cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston in 1775-76 to help win the Revolution. In addition to planting a tree, they will be removing invasive tree of heaven sprouting in the area adjacent to the hemlock forest.
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events
If you are participating in the Climate Smart Communities Program and would like to add your municipality's events to the Calendar and/or News page, send an email to Columbia County Coordinator Don Meltz.Please include the name of the event, the date and time, the location, and a short description in selectable copy-and-pasteable text. Flyers, Images, and Links to further information are also welcome.Here is a sample post to use as a guide.
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