Conservation Advisory Council

Overview:

The City of Kingston is one of only 16 cities in New York State that have a Conservation Council and is one of 16 other Ulster County Conservation Councils.

This board, consisting of Kingston residents, with its advisory capacity, will:

• Advise the Planning Board, Executive Branch, Common Council, and other City agencies and departments to ensure sound environmental decisions are made;
• Coordinate with City of Kingston boards, commissions, and local community groups and organizations, which have an impact on the environment;
• Coordinate with regional environmental boards, commissions and organizations to advocate for the protection of Kingston’s environment on regional issues;
• Shepherd environmental concerns from the public and consider courses of action;
• Advocate for the protection of Kingston’s natural resources through the Open Space Plan, Open Space Index and Natural Resources Inventory;
• Provide environmental expertise and technical assistance on municipal environmental initiatives.

This board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm virtually and in-person, in City Hall meeting room 1. The meetings are open to the general public.

(New York Department of Conservation: What is a CAC?)

Resources and Initiatives:

• What can we do about the Spotted Lanternfly? (On the City of Kingston Urban Forestry website)
  
  
• In the City of Kingston, wetlands of any size and their adjacent areas meet jurisdictional criteria for protection as “Wetlands of Unusual Importance” by the NYSDEC.
  • What’s up with the 2025 DEC Wetland Protections? (Pattern for Progress)
    
    
• Additional resources can be found on the resources page!

Past Projects and Important Guiding Documents

• City of Natural Resources Inventory
• City of Kingston Open Space Plan
• Community Preservation Plan
• Kingston’s Community Preservation Advisory Board
• Sustainable development objectives are included in Kingston’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan (e.g., Objective 4.14)
• Air Quality initiatives in the 2030 Climate Action Plan, including
  • Kingston’s Anti-Idling Policy
• See also Kingston’s “Climate Smart” Task Force

Up to nine voting members can join Kingston’s CAC. If you’re interested in serving on the council, apply below. Terms are two years in length and voluntary and members must be residents of the City of Kingston. Appointment is by the Mayor’s Office.

Submit an Application