Story County, Iowa, is taking significant steps to address climate change through its newly initiated Climate Action Plan, unveiled during a public meeting on October 1, 2025. The plan aims to enhance the resilience of county operations against changing weather conditions while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions from government activities.

Chris Anderson from EA Engineering, leading the initiative, emphasized the importance of public input in shaping the plan. "We want your perspective on actions that can be taken to improve the resilience of the County government operations," he stated, highlighting the dual focus on operational functionality and emissions reduction.

Leanne Harder, representing Story County's planning and development team, provided context for the meeting. She noted that the Story County Board of Supervisors had previously adopted a resolution in 2022 to establish a Climate Resilience Leadership Strategy, reactivating the Go Green team to tackle sustainability goals. This includes a comprehensive greenhouse gas emission inventory for county operations, setting a baseline for future improvements.

The Climate Action Plan will specifically target emissions from county-owned facilities and operations, excluding broader community impacts. However, Harder expressed hope that the plan would serve as a model for other entities in the region. The plan will also analyze various weather hazards, including blizzards, floods, and heatwaves, to understand their impacts on county services.

Public engagement is a critical component of this initiative. Attendees were encouraged to participate in an online survey designed to gather insights on weather-related disruptions experienced by residents and their concerns regarding potential changes. Anderson reiterated the importance of this feedback, stating, "We want to know if there are changes recommended through this process, what the concerns are of the public for those changes."

As Story County moves forward with its Climate Action Plan, the emphasis on community involvement and data-driven strategies aims to create a sustainable framework for government operations in the face of climate challenges. The next steps will involve analyzing public input and developing actionable strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on county services.