Erie County Department of Environment and Planning

06/12/2026

Join us for the NYS Consolidated Funding Application Workshop. June 17 at 1pm. For more info visit: [email protected]

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

I am proud to share that Erie County has received the highest distinction through NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Climate Smart Communities program — earning Silver Certification for our continued work to protect the environment, reduce emissions, and build a more sustainable future. 👏

I want to acknowledge and thank Department of Environment and Planning's Environmental Division Deputy Commissioner Bonnie Lawrence-Lange, our Environmental Management Council, and the entire Erie County Department of Environment and Planning team for their continued leadership, advocacy and partnership in advancing this important work. We are proud of this progress and committed to continuing the work ahead.

06/09/2026

Welcome back to week 8 of Tree Talk Tuesday with Willow and Oakley! On today's podcast episode, Willow and Oakley discuss:
• Erie County purchased tree canopy data through the Community Forestry Partnership Project. With this data, Erie County created tree height and land cover maps for every municipality within Erie County.
• The tree canopy and land cover maps are available online at erie.gov/trees and at erie.gov/nri
• The purchased tree canopy data will support the development of the Community Forest Management Plan, which will soon be developed.

06/08/2026

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper announced the continued expansion of the Buffalo Blueway into the Buffalo Niagara Blueway at Beaver Island State Park today.

Erie County was represented by Commissioner Dan Castle, Chair of the Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee.

Commissioner Castle credited the work of the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper for designing and installing 15 interpretive signs and markers as part of the Buffalo Niagara Blueway initiative.

This project was made possible through $471,000 from the Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee, along with support from state, county, and municipal partners.

For more info and a map visit www.Buffaloblueway.com

06/05/2026

CALL FOR ARTISTS REOPENED 🎨

The Erie County Department of Environment & Planning and the Arts in Public Places Committee have reopened the 2026 Call for Artists for the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens public art opportunity.
A revised Call for Artists with updated submission requirements is now available at erie.gov/publicart.
Submission Deadline: June 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM (Noon)
We look forward to seeing proposals that reflect the mission, environment, and unique character of the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Garden

06/04/2026

Free Small Business Workshop Series. Starting June 8, link to register: FAiR Program Registration Form This series is virtual.

06/03/2026

Here's another Waste Wednesday post: everything you wanted to know about composting (even if you didn't know what to ask!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpAT3MttzO0
Thanks to NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's new three-part series on Materials Management, Beyond the Bin: Municipal Solid Waste.

What happens to your trash Beyond the Bin in New York State? With ...

06/02/2026

Welcome back to week 7 of Tree Talk Tuesday with Willow and Oakley! On today's podcast episode, Willow and Oakley discuss:
• In 2024, Erie County was awarded a $5.2 million Urban and Community Forestry Grant from the U.S. Forest Service. This award was made possible through Erie County's Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP), which fostered relationships between Erie County and local organizations and municipalities. Numerous action items in the CCAP are being addressed through this project.
• The grant is a collaboration between Erie County Department of Environment & Planning, Erie County Parks, and Erie County Sheriff's Office, alongside 5 essential partners: Black Rock Riverside Alliance, Buffalo Freedom Gardens, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County, Monarch of Infinite Possibilities, and Town of Tonawanda.
• Tasks included in this project: planting trees, providing workforce development opportunities, educating on the importance of trees, and much more!
• This project will improve air and water quality, reduce flooding, cool neighborhoods, provide workforce development opportunities, increase the native tree species population, and overall provide additional health, social, and environmental benefits.
• In the coming weeks, we will dive deeper into each aspect of this project.

To learn more about this project, visit erie.gov/trees

06/01/2026

Farmers Market Season is Here!
Get ready to shop fresh and local at these farmers markets opening this month:

Alden Farmers Market - Opens 6/1
Mrs. Nash's Garden Basket – Opens 6/2
Downtown Country Market – Opens 6/4
West Shore Farmers Market – Opens 6/5
Clarence Hollow Farmers Market - Opens 6/7
South Buffalo Farmers Market - Opens 6/7
Kenmore Farmers Market - Opens 6/21
Providence Farm Collective International Farmers Market - Opens 6/27

Earn rewards with the Erie Grown Passport: log your farm and market visits for a chance to win prizes!
Not signed up yet? Visit erie.gov/eriegrownpassport to join.

Learn more at erie.gov/eriegrown and support your local growers this season!