Lotus Sustainability updates McCall City Council on climate action plan progress

In a recent city council meeting held on February 27, 2025, McCall officials received a significant update on the ongoing climate action plan, titled "Rooted in Resilience." The meeting featured a presentation from Lotus Sustainability, the consulting firm engaged to guide the city through its climate planning process. This marks a pivotal moment for McCall as it seeks to address environmental challenges while accommodating growth.

Meredith Todd, the city’s sustainability planner, introduced the consultants, Grace Sullivan and Tom Herod, who joined the meeting remotely from Denver. They provided insights into the progress made over the past year, highlighting the importance of community engagement and the development of actionable strategies to combat climate change. The council was informed about various upcoming initiatives aimed at fostering public involvement, including educational workshops and interactive activities designed to engage residents of all ages.

One notable event is scheduled for March 10, where graduate students from the McCall Outdoor Science School will host a workshop at the local library. This initiative aims to deepen community understanding of climate issues. Additionally, the city has launched "meetings in a box," which include climate-focused comic books for children and a photo-based activity to stimulate discussions about local environmental concerns.

The consultants emphasized the urgency of the climate action plan, citing public interest and the city council's commitment to preserving McCall's natural beauty amid challenges such as wildfires and decreasing snowpack. They outlined three strategic categories for the plan: health and resilience, destination management, and transportation, which align with findings from a 2018 greenhouse gas inventory.

As the project progresses, the focus will shift towards refining these strategies to ensure they are practical and supported by data. The council anticipates a workshop in April to further discuss funding and implementation of the plan, coinciding with Arbor Day celebrations.

The meeting underscored McCall's proactive approach to sustainability, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive climate action. As the city prepares for future growth, the outcomes of this plan will be crucial in balancing development with environmental stewardship. The council's commitment to engaging the community in this process will likely play a significant role in shaping the city's climate resilience efforts moving forward.