Cleveland Heights sustainability committee publishes 2024 annual report, urges tree commission, compost pilot and improved air-quality alerts

The Climate and Environmental Sustainability Committee of the City of Cleveland Heights presented its 2024 annual report at a March 18, 2025 meeting, outlining recommendations including formation of a tree commission, a pilot composting program, expanded air-quality alert messaging and a standardized measurement framework for the city’s Climate Forward plan.

“This report really is to provide our community with a window into what we're working on, what we have achieved, and just being transparent about our work,” said Catalina Wagers, a CESS member who presented the report.

The committee, which now has eight appointed members, said it spent the first year learning internal processes and working with consultants on the Climate Forward plan. Wagers said CESS members were comfortable with the final plan and are positioning the committee as a partner and sounding board to city staff for implementation.

Tree commission request

CESS members asked the city to consider creating a tree commission or a subcommittee to support urban canopy planning and to bring resident expertise into canopy decisions. Wagers said…