Actions You Can Take

There are many impactful actions our community can take every day to help reduce carbon pollution and help regenerate a vibrant local ecosystem. Explore the resources below to find actions that are feasible and inspiring for you. 

Actions you can take on your own land or property 

1. Native Planting
   1. Native plants are crucial parts of local ecosystems because they provide essential food and shelter for native wildlife, require less water and maintenance as they’re adapted to local conditions, reduce pollution/runoff, and build climate resilience, creating healthier, more sustainable landscapes. They form the base of local food webs, nurturing insects that feed birds, and help stabilize soil, preventing erosion. And they are beautiful too! Planning can provide your yard and garden with beautiful colors, flowers, and foliage year round with native plants. 
   2. Native Planting Guides
      1. NYS DEC Native Tree Planting Guide
      2. NYS DEC Native Flowers Planting Guide 
      3. NYS DEC Prohibited Plants
      4. Native Plant List and Guides from Pollinate HV
      5. Some sources for native plants (plus Flower Power right in Red Hook!) 
   3. Learn how to keep deer out to protect native plants: Deer Exclosure Resources
   4. Design your Garden for pollinators with Garden Designs to support Hudson Valley Pollinators
2. Electric yard tools 
   1. People choose electric yard work tools because they are quiet and have no exhaust or fumes, reducing both air and noise pollution for the whole neighborhood. They are also often easier to start, have less maintenance requirements, and cost less to operate. Not to mention that they have no tailpipe carbon pollution with their use. More information. 

Actions You can Take in your own home 

1. Check out NYSERDA’s programs for homeowners – they can help with an energy audit that will make a plan to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Improvements can include insulation, air sealing, window and door installation, heating systems and more.  
2. Sign up for an energy coach from New Yorkers for Clean Power to get all your home energy questions answered. 
3. Renewable Energy – solar energy is widely available in our area both as roof top and ground installations and off site programs like community solar arrays. Both can offer savings over conventional electric costs and reduce carbon pollution. Composting – keeping food waste out of the garbage prevents carbon pollution by breaking down food waste into valuable nutrients for soil systems instead of gassing into the atmosphere. Home composting is easy to start if you have the room and there are several local program options for folks who prefer to have an off site solution. 
4. Start composting your food scraps, either at home or with a municipal program. Learn about starting at home here and learn about Germantown’s program here. Laughing Fox Farm also offers a compost subscription program. 

Lifestyle Changes 

1. Vegetarian Diet – conventional animal agriculture produces large amounts of carbon pollution. Reducing your consumption of factory farmed beef, pork, and dairy products can go a long way to reducing your own carbon foot print. 
2. Clean Transportation – Electric vehicles now offer us transportation options with zero tail pipe emissions. If you pair your vehicle with a community solar subscription or at home solar panels, your transportation can be fully emissions free. 
3. Alternative Transportation – mass transit like buses and trains are a great way to move lots of people with lower emissions than moving those same people with individual cars. Riding your bike can also be a zero emissions way to get around while also being fun and excellent exercise. Consider advocating for better mass transit and biking infrastructure for our area. 
4. Keep learning! Check out the Columbia County Climate Smart Taskforce website here 

Learn More

Columbia Land Conservancy

2026 Clean Power Guide  

Go Electric to Save the Planet!