Meetings are held via Zoom on the first Wednesday of each month, from 7pm - 9pm. Open to public!

NOTE: The July meeting has been changed from the 1st to the 2nd Wednesday of the month (July 7th)

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84729850251?pwd=czdpamUrZElDSnNQMkIwMDNzOXlydz09

Meeting ID: 847 2985 0251  

Passcode: 706011

Coordinator:
Jason Mayer  
Members: 

Holly Shader
Rebecca Carucci
Rick Irizarry
Kim Mayer
Suger Rowinski
Tara Hoey
Mark Varian
Stephen Weir
Steve Mazzuca
Leigh Ettinger
Paul Keisler
Franco Carucci (Liaison to Gardiner Town Board)

Climate Smart Gardiner is part of New York State’s Climate Smart Communities Program, an initiative designed to help local communities reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change. Climate Smart Gardiner is a self-organized municipal Taskforce created with Climate Smart Gardiner and Climate Smart Communities. We are seeking new members. We work on local projects to mitigate climate change and preserve our environment.

Our Mission & Environmental Values

At Climate Smart Gardiner, we are committed to:

• Reducing energy consumption while improving air quality and quality of life through efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy.

• Encouraging sustainable transportation that relies less on fossil fuels.

• Minimizing waste and promoting responsible materials management.

• Collaborating with the Town, businesses, and residents to achieve our shared sustainability goals.

• Preparing for climate change by increasing community resilience.

• Leading by example and inspiring others to take action.

• Tracking our progress through measurable goals and data-driven strategies.

• Ensuring inclusivity so all community members can participate in climate solutions.

We are also involved in many other activities involving recycling, educating the public, developing a local climate action plan, planting trees, even picking up garbage to beautify the Wallkill River. You can do something meaningful, participate in a project that interests you, and get to know your neighbors.

• On May 13, 2025, the Town Board unanimously approved the 2024 update to the Climate Smart Gardiner Greenhouse Gas Inventory, reaffirming Gardiner’s commitment to sustainability and climate action. 

• Bronze Level Certified: Climate Smart Gardiner is officially a Bronze-Level Certified Climate Smart Community!

  • • • • • See Governor Hochul's Announcement 

• The Town of Gardiner has qualified for a no-match $5,000 grant through NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities program!  Click here for more information.

• Explore the Climate Smart Communities Toolkit

• Electric Vehicle Charging Station at the town library

• Climate Smart Gardiner Presents:💡HOW TO ELECTRIFY💡

• Energy Performance of Municipal Buildings:

  • • • • • Establishing Energy Benchmarks for Municipal Bldgs 

          • Read the 2022 & 2023 Benchmark Reports

• Greenhouse Gas Inventories

  • • • • • 2019

          • 2021

          • 2022 & 2023

          • 2024

• Climate Smart Growth Grant Update May 2024

  • • • • • Presentation, Paul Kiesler

          • Click here for additional update information

          • Click here to view Town Letter of Commitment

• VOLUNTEER WITH CLIMATE SMART GARDINER: 

If you are interested in learning more about us, contact Jason Mayer, CSG Taskforce Coordinator or check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/climatesmartgardiner/.

• COMPOST YOUR WASTE: 

You can buy a compost bin to compost all non-meat and non-dairy food. You will produce 30% less waste, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and make great compost for your garden! The Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency has lots of useful information and composting classes are offered.

• GET A FREE HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENT: 

Take advantage of NYSERDA’s Home Performance with Energy Star Program and save money with the improvements needed to increase your home’s energy efficiency. 

• GO SOLAR: 

With federal, state, and local rebates, you can receive significant savings on a rooftop solar system. If you are a renter or don’t have a good roof for solar, consider clean energy programs where you can subscribe to a share of a solar farm–or other types of renewable energy projects–located right here in the Hudson Valley. If you have an electric bill, you can support renewables without installing anything on your property – and save money!

• COOL AND HEAT YOUR HOME WITH HEAT PUMPS: 

Heat pumps use electricity to efficiently move heat to heat or cool your home, reducing GHG emissions, and saving you money.  Click this link for rebates on air source heat pumps and heat pump water heaters.

• BUY AN ELECTRIC CAR: 

Not only are electric cars cleaner, but they save money on fuel and need less maintenance than gas or diesel cars. The Charge NY Initiative is offering electric car buyers the Drive Clean Rebate of up to $2,000 for new car purchases or leases. You can combine that with a Federal Tax Credit of up to $7,500. For details, visit:

• BUY LOCAL PRODUCE, GROW A GARDEN, or JOIN A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture):

Food production and transport is a significant cause of Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  We are lucky to be surrounded by many farms and CSA’s that offer fresh, seasonal produce.  Consider purchasing a farm share from one of the many local CSA farms.

• The Town of Gardiner joined the Hudson Valley Community Power renewable energy program in 2023. This community choice aggregation (CCA) program enables Gardiner to provide residents and small businesses with the benefits of renewable electricity supply until 2025, when we will revisit this partnership. 

• Formed in partnership with Joule Community Power, a division of Joule Assets, Inc., Hudson Valley Community Power is a community choice aggregation (CCA) program that enables participating communities to pool local electricity demand in order to leverage the collective buying power of their residents and small businesses in an effort to secure more favorable terms on their energy supply, protect consumers, and choose renewable generation sources.

• The Hudson Valley Community Power program currently serves households and small businesses in ten communities with 100% New York State renewable power at a fixed electricity supply rate.