BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The City of Binghamton was honored for its commitment to sustainability. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand presented the city with a 2013 Environmental Quality Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency Friday.
Binghamton was the only New York State municipality to win the award. Gillibrand actually nominated the city for the award because of its accomplishments in areas such as climate protection, energy efficiency, smart growth and sustainable development.
“I think it is setting an example for other cities in the state about how a vision and a plan and sticking to it really can make a difference. And our mayor has worked very hard on trying to reach long term goals every single day by investing in those goals,” said Sen. Gillibrand.
“This is a great day for Binghamton and it’s a great day for sustainability because we all know that if we are going to continue to progress as a country and as a world we need to embrace these principles because that’s the only way we are going to sustain our planet, and I believe, it will also sustain many, many jobs, and sustain our future,” said Mayor Matt Ryan.
Gillibrand and city officials also celebrated Arbor Day by planting trees in Binghamton’s Fairview Park.
The city says it encourages citizens to get involved with programs such as the Shade Tree Commission and the Citizen Pruner Program.