North Fulton Today

City of Milton recently issued the following announcement.

For the first time in its history, the City of Milton has earned a Silver Green Communities distinction – reflecting the government’s environmentally-friendly initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for all residents.

Milton in 2012 and 2016 was certified as Bronze by the Atlanta Regional Commission, which leads the program to help “create a greener, healthier and more livable region.” Yet, for its actions as of 2021 (no certifications were issued for 2020), the City stepped up to earn Silver status. Under the points-based certification system, Milton garnered particularly high marks related to energy efficiency, water use reduction, tree-related policies, and greenspaces.

“This Silver Green Communities honor recognizes the City’s considerable efforts – and progress – to make Milton, and our world, better,” said Mayor Peyton Jamison. “The City of Milton puts a high priority on preserving our rural heritage, safeguarding our beautiful natural surroundings, and doing what we can to ensure residents can enjoy the great outdoors for generations to come.”

The Green Communities program endeavors to support governments as they:

• Reduce (negative) environmental impacts through their actions, buildings, vehicles and more
• Serve as a positive example for the community at large while fostering civic pride
• Encourage and educate citizens, businesses or organizations to implement green-minded measures
• Through all these measures, increase citizens’ quality of life over the short- and long-terms

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Sustainability Coordinator Kelsey Waidhas announced during a Wednesday afternoon meeting that Milton had earned this recognition. Seven other local governments – including four with Platinum certifications – were singled out as well.

“Congratulations to all of our honorees,” ARC Board Chairman Kerry Armstrong said Wednesday. “This is really the culmination of a lot of hard work … We’re proud to know you.”

Each of these governments submitted evidence of dozens of individual initiatives before welcoming ARC representatives for site visits. Milton scored points, for example, for having a “cool roof” (on City Hall), replacing inefficient light bulbs, using captured rainwater for irrigation, improving traffic signal synchronization, having incentives for green building certifications, and more. Waidhas specifically pointed to the City’s greenspace program and tree-related initiatives, such as the 2020 implementation of a Tree Canopy Conservation Ordinance.

Teresa Stickels, the City of Milton’s Conservation Project Manager who oversees its environmental efforts, said the advancement from Bronze to Silver status comes as more and more community members express their growing desire to go green.

“Protecting the environment benefits our whole community,” said Stickels. “We’re excited to build on our momentum and make even more of a positive impact in the coming years.” 

Original source can be found here.