The Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) of Erie, Pennsylvania convened on July 23, 2025, to discuss ongoing initiatives and updates related to environmental sustainability in the city. The meeting began with a recap of recent activities, including a report presented to the city council regarding the council's top priorities, which include the Local Climate Action Plan (LCAP), a plastic waste reduction initiative, and a dark sky and bird safety initiative.

The council members noted that there were no significant updates on the LCAP, but they expressed enthusiasm for upcoming events, despite a lack of environmental-specific activities scheduled for the month. The discussion then shifted to sustainability updates, where it was announced that a contractor has been engaged to conduct a tree inventory across the city. This project aims to assess street trees and those in public parks, with a focus on underserved areas. The council anticipates that the initial funding of $80,000 to $100,000 will allow for the inventory of approximately 18,000 trees, although the total number of street trees in Erie could be as high as 20,000.

The sustainability coordinator highlighted the importance of this inventory for developing a maintenance plan and securing additional funding for future phases. The council also discussed a collaborative effort with local organizations, including Mercyhurst University and Groundwork Erie, to plant 200 trees in neighborhoods with low tree canopy coverage, particularly focusing on East Avenue.

In addition to tree planting, the council is working on the Erie Outside initiative, a comprehensive parks, recreation, and open space plan. The initiative will be promoted during the upcoming Celebrate Erie event, where the council plans to engage the community in discussions about park history and future amenities.

The meeting concluded with updates on various projects and a call for volunteers to assist with community cleanups and other environmental initiatives. The council emphasized the importance of community involvement in enhancing Erie’s environmental landscape and ensuring sustainable practices moving forward.