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GET INVOLVED WITH OUR COMMUNITY TASK FORCE
Village of Ardsley community members.
Our Vision
Our Vision
The success of the Green Task Force (GTF) will be anchored in four key pillars: Expertise-Driven Decision-Making, Collaborative Innovation, Global Policy Coordination, and Impactful, Sustainable Action. These pillars collectively form the foundation for crafting effective, evidence-based policies that foster meaningful change in the fight agains climate change and the promotion of global sustainability.
Through these guiding principles, the Green Task Force aims to create solutions that are not only innovative, but also practical, scalable, and enduring, ensuring a lasting positive impact on the environment and society.
Bronze Certification
Bronze Certification
The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program began in 2009 as an interagency initiative of New York State. The program is jointly sponsored by the following New York State agencies: Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC); Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); Department of Public Service (DPS); Department of State (DOS); Department of Transportation (DOT); Department of Health (DOH); Division of Homes and Community Renewal (HCR); and the Power Authority (NYPA). DEC acts as the main administrator of the program.
The CSC program is a leadership recognition program for local governments in New York. Local governments that are designated as Certified CSCs have undergone a rigorous review process to confirm their completion of a suite of actions that mitigate and adapt to climate change at the community level.
Ardsley, Village (Westchester) was certified on September 19, 2025 with 227 points earned from 34 completed actions. The certification will expire on September 30, 2030. View Report
Sophia N. Johnson, Ph.D. was appointed Chair of the Green Policy Task Force in the Village of Ardsley, January 2025.
A Message from the Chair
A Message from the Chair
This year, we mark the 63rd anniversary of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, a groundbreaking book that, in 1962, revealed the dangers of the pesticide DDT and eloquently helped lay the foundation for the modern environmental movement.
One of the Green Task Force’s primary goals is to advance the Village’s environmental objectives and align them with state and federal initiatives, such as New York State’s Climate Smart Communities program, which recognizes and rewards local sustainability efforts. Another key objective is to educate the public on these important issues. In addition, we are focused on global climate action, looking toward COP30 - the annual international conference where world leaders, scientists, NGOs, and civil society representatives gather to negotiate solutions and actions to combat climate change.
This means the Green Task Force closely monitors data on both economic activity and the quality of life experienced by our residents. We are dedicated to bridging the gap between research and public policy, ensuring that policymakers fully understand the correlations between economic activity and its positive and negative externalities. Currently, we are working on a Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) and exploring innovative ways to promote environmental sustainability. This includes community initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint, the promotion of renewable energy sources, strategies to enhance resource efficiency, and efforts to minimize environmental impact. We also aim to collaborate with stakeholders to raise awareness and cultivate a culture of sustainability, regularly tracking our progress and reporting on these outcomes.
That said, I'm truly honored to serve our community and work alongside an amazing team of dedicated professionals. As we look to the future, we are reminded of Rachel Carson’s legacy, her courage and vision helped spark a movement that continues to inspire and challenge us today.
Stay tuned for weekly updates in the Ardsley Connect newsletter, where you can learn more about our Task Force's policy priorities and the latest in local climate action. And please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime at ArdsleyGreenTaskForce@ardsleyvillage.gov - I’d love to hear from you!
GTF Meetings
The Task Force schedules six meetings per year, one about every eight weeks or so. The Task Force may also hold unscheduled meetings as necessary to review policy developments.
The Task Force issues a policy statement following each regular meeting that summarizes the Board's outlook and the policy decisions at that meeting.
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