The Erie County Environmental Management Council (EMC) is an advisory board to the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning
The Council was established in the Erie County Charter in 1971 under Article 47 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law. Members of the Council represent many of the cities, towns, and villages within Erie County, as well as 12 at-large members from throughout the County. Their mission is two-fold:
1) Advise county government on local environmental concerns; and
2) Provide a liaison between the community and county government.
Latest News:
- The 2025 EMC Awards winners have now been announced! Click here to read about the award-winning projects.
About
The Erie County Environmental Management Council strives to effect environmental improvement within the inter-governmental system. EMC projects often take the form of studies that provide recommended courses of action of decision makers. Some of the highlighted accomplishments of the EMC include:
- Provide a resource for both the County of Erie, New York Executive and the Erie County Legislature in their understanding and resolution of environmental issues which affect the residents of Erie County
- Assisting the Western New York Stormwater Coalition in reaching out to inform and involve the public in assisting their municipalities in protecting and improving water quality in our waterbodies
- Developing brochures and other educational materials to encourage citizen's and governmental agencies to eliminate or reduce the use of chemical pesticides in caring for their lawns and gardens
- Helped co-sponsor, develop, and implement plans for public education efforts surrounding the 30th anniversary of Earth Day.
- Played a principal role in the phosphate detergents ban legislation (1974 - 1975)
- Lobbied for returnable container and deposit legislation
- Developed and delivered a training program for local elected officials, code enforcement officers and municipal planners to help them better use the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to mitigate and avoid environmental impacts in their communities.
Annual Recommendations Reports
As part of its charge, the EMC submits an annual recommendation report to the County.
2024 Annual Recommendations Report
For 2023, Erie County's Community Climate Action Plan, which the EMC and its Community Climate Change Task Force played a major role in developing, serves as the EMC's Annual Recommendation Report.
The EMC Environmental Excellence Awards Program
Started in 2015, this program recognizes exceptional projects carried out by municipal and non-profit organizations in Erie County that stand to have a significant and lasting positive impact on the natural environment. The awards program is designed to showcase and promote projects that can be replicated in communities across Erie County and beyond. Projects could be in the areas of Planning & Design, Land Use and Zoning, Natural Resource Protection, Air and Water Quality, Ecosystem Health, Energy and Transportation, Agriculture and Forestry, Solid Waste Management, Contaminated Sites, Community Action & Education, Climate Change or any other related subject area. Application forms are released in January each year with applications due in early March and an award ceremony near Earth Day, at the end of April.
2025 Award Winners
The Erie County Environmental Management Council (EMC), an advisory board to the County on environmental issues, has announced its 2025 Environmental Excellence Award Winners:
This year’s winners are:
- The Great Lakes Beach Sweep, a volunteer-driven initiative launched in 1989, focuses on protecting and improving the health of Lake Erie. Led by local resident Sharon Trembath since its inception and organized in conjunction with the Center for Marine Conservation, this annual event engages Western New York residents in meaningful environmental stewardship. Each year, thousands of pounds of debris are removed from local shorelines, helping raise awareness about pollution and the importance of preserving our natural resources. The Great Lakes Beach Sweep continues to improve water quality in Lake Erie while building a more engaged, informed, and environmentally conscious community.
- The What’s a Tree Worth Project, led by the Town of Hamburg Conservation Advisory Board, brings attention to one of our most valuable assets- our trees. A bright green tree tag was developed and placed on trees in public places in the town. These tags state the common and scientific names, tree height and information about tree benefits including carbon sequestered and stormwater retained. Through the efforts of dedicated volunteers, a variety of trees in public places are tagged with this information, raising awareness of the many benefits trees make to our local environment.
- The Northwoods Nature Preserve and Trail Project, led by the Village of Alden, protected 50 acres of aquifer recharge land through a 1990s land swap, creating the Northwoods Nature Preserve. In 2024, Eagle Scout candidate Owen Stanley led over 100 volunteer hours to build a one-mile trail, install signage, and construct a footbridge using reclaimed materials. The trail offers access to unique local history, fossil-rich shale, and mature woodlands while supporting water quality education and conservation. With minimal cost and deep community involvement, this project highlights Alden’s long-term commitment to sustainability and serves as a model for environmental stewardship and local engagement.
- Wheels for Workers 716, founded in 2022 by John Hannon, is an all-volunteer nonprofit that repairs donated bicycles and provides them to individuals in need of reliable transportation. Partnering with local organizations, they’ve distributed over 4,500 bikes—each requiring about four volunteer hours—to residents across Erie County. With support from community groups, churches, and sponsors like West Herr and M&T Bank, Wheels operates a repair hub behind St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Their mission—“Donate a Bike, Change a Life”—demonstrates a sustainable model of reuse, community engagement, and transportation equity that continues to grow and inspire.
- The Cold Spring Battery-Electric Bus Conversion Project conducted by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) in partnership with National Grid and New York Power Authority, recently completed its first phase. This initiative established a fleet of 45 electric transit buses, installed charging infrastructure, upgraded grid systems, and provided workforce training. The project supports clean energy goals by reducing emissions, improving air quality, and promoting sustainable transit. As the first project of its kind in the region, this effort positions NFTA as a leader in green transportation and reflects a strong commitment to a healthier, more energy-efficient future for Western New York.
Learn about previous winners!
Healthy Lawns
The EMC has a Healthy Lawns Campaign called "A Safe Home for the Gnomes". Follow the link for details on how to reduce pesticide and other chemical inputs to your lawns and help make our community healthier.
Community Climate Change Task Force
The EMC established a Climate Change Task Force in 2019 to address this pressing issue. The Task Force was recognized by County Executive Mark Poloncarz in Executive Order 20.
EMC Community Climate Change Task Force Members
Resources
Natural Places of Erie County was produced by the Environmental Management Council and others.
This fold-out brochure includes a map of 44 of the County's natural places and a grid showing the amenities of each location.
Additional Information
For copies of the meeting minutes, upcoming agendas, or other information, please email Josh Wilson at Peter.Wilson@erie.gov