News Story

Henrico is enhancing its focus on environmental sustainability by tapping residents to help shape policies and guide initiatives, which will include the county’s first official strategy for addressing the effects of climate change.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed the first permanent members of the Sustainability and Resilience Advisory Committee (SRAC). The panel has 10 members – two from each magisterial district – who will serve as formal advisors and provide a community perspective on issues related to environmental sustainability, resilience and strategies for adapting to climate change. The county’s Sustainability Division is providing staff support to the committee.

The idea for SRAC grew from discussions about climate change and the county’s plan to develop a Climate Action & Adaptation Strategy. That project is getting underway and will build on work done through PlanRVA to create the region’s Priority Climate Action Plan and Comprehensive Climate Action Plan. The Board of Supervisors established SRAC in August with temporary appointees from the county’s staff.

“The Climate Action & Adaption Strategy will include recommendations for action, and SRAC will be instrumental in advising the process through implementation,” said Samantha Hudson, director of the Sustainability Division. “SRAC also will advise the county on related topics, including energy, preservation of greenspace and more.”

SRAC will complement the work of two other county groups focused on the environment. Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team (HEART) includes representatives from various departments that collaborate on projects and engage with the community and with students through its youth council. Keep Henrico Beautiful, led by community members appointed by the Board of Supervisors, focuses on litter prevention, recycling and education.

SRAC will meet at 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every other month, beginning Feb. 4. Meetings will be held in the County Manager’s Conference Room on the third floor of the Administration Building at the Henrico County Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road. The committee’s members are Marilee Tretina and Lynne Yurchak, of the Brookland District; Elizabeth “Beth” Kreydatus and Lisa Washington, of the Fairfield District; Mark Deutsch and Kim Jemaine, of the Three Chopt District; Danna Flaherty and Eric Haley, of the Tuckahoe District; and Becky Lakin and Elliot Reed, of the Varina District.