Sustainability
The Sustainability Division was created in 2023 under the Public Works Department to strengthen the City of Hendersonville’s commitment to sustainability. The division is also responsible for incorporating City Council’s goals and City Resolutions pertaining to sustainability within the organization. Our sustainability efforts are divided into five key focus areas: energy, transportation, waste management, water, and land management. These efforts are aimed at reducing our overall impact on the environment while strengthening our communities, especially those underserved to ensure we have a prosperous future now, and for generations to come.
As stated in Resolution R-21-53, the City Council recognizes the following core values and beliefs related to sustainability that should be upheld:
- The City will evaluate the environmental sustainability of all projects and programs while maintaining a solid relationship with residential and business development;
- The City believes that it is our responsibility to protect all our natural resources and the environment through the implementation of sustainable and responsible projects;
- The City must lead by example by evaluating all city operations to ensure they protect or repair the natural environment and are environmentally sustainable; and
- The City will prioritize the protection of existing tree canopy and the development of greenspaces and parks.
Adopted May, 2024 the Sustainability Strategic Plan outlines measurable goals and actions to reduce the City's overall impact on the environment while strengthening our communities, to ensure we have a prosperous future now, and for generations to come. This plan addresses challenges with a path forward on actionable and measurable opportunities to reduce the City’s municipal greenhouse gas emissions, GHG by 30% by 2035.
Visit the Sustainability Strategic Plan page for more information.
Policies:
Listed below are the plans, assessments, and policies that guide the work of the Sustainability Division. More policies are available in each of the sidebar focus area categories found on this page.
Resolution R-24-31: Sustainable Facilities Policy
What does "sustainability" mean?
The meaning can vary across different fields and disciplines with three constant principals: economic viability, environmental protection, and social equity. For the City of Hendersonvillle, we must have smart growth that is both economically sound while respecting our environment for the collective community.
How can I get involved?
There are many ways to get involved in Hendersonville's sustainability efforts. Listen in and engage with our Environmental Sustainability Board or Tree Board. Volunteer at our Oklawaha Trail Pollinator bed. Encourage your neighbor to sign up for the City's recycling service and take advantage of the County's free compost drop off service. For more ways to get involved, visit the links on the sustainability homepage.
Sustainability News
The City of Hendersonville is a member of the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN). SSDN is a network of local governments working together to create clean and healthy communities throughout our region.
City Operations Center
305 Williams St.
Hendersonville, NC 28792
The Environmental Sustainability Board exists to advise City Council in matters pertaining to environmental sustainability in the City of Hendersonville.
The Tree Board maintains a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other public areas in the City of Hendersonville.