Lucas County proclaims Earth Day; staff to pursue solar feasibility study for county buildings

The Lucas County Board of Commissioners on April 22 proclaimed Earth Day and heard presentations from county sustainability officials and Keep Toledo Lucas County Beautiful on ongoing recycling, tree-planting and community outreach work.

CAUTI Administrator Jessica Ford told the board that Power for a Clean Future Ohio offered to conduct a solar feasibility study at no cost for up to 10 county buildings. "They come up with a list of buildings," Ford said, and the county will work with its facilities department and Palmer Energy on next steps. Ford said a resolution will come to the board in the coming weeks to amend the scope of the county's greenhouse gas inventory.

Ben Pushka of the Toledo-Lucas County Sustainability Commission and Adam Cassie, executive director of Keep Toledo Lucas County Beautiful (KTLCB), detailed local programs. Cassie said KTLCB supplies volunteer cleanups—about 9,000 bags and 4,500 pairs of gloves annually—and removes roughly 35 tons of litter each year. He outlined several forthcoming events, including a recycling drop-off tied to the Toledo Zoo's Party for the Planet and an EcoFest relaunch on May 10 at Market Hall in Glass City Metropark with about 30 vendors.

Cassie described seasonal and specialized recycling work: a collection program for boat shrink-wrap, a pumpkin-composting program that handled roughly 60,000 pounds last year, and a food-waste drop-off pilot in coordination with the city that collected nearly 70,000 pounds at Metroparks sites in its first year. He also noted an expansion of tree-planting efforts, including funding to plant about 100 trees in the Point Place neighborhood this summer to replace canopy lost in recent storms.

Commissioners praised the groups' work. Commissioner Cebecchi called KTLCB "a mighty team," and Commissioner Lopez thanked staff and volunteers for outreach and education aimed at youth and neighborhoods. Following the presentations, Commissioner Lopez moved to proclaim April 22, 2025, as Earth Day; the roll call vote was recorded as yes from Commissioners Cebecchi, Gerken and Lopez.

The board did not adopt any new ordinances during the proclamation item; Ford and KTLCB representatives said staff will return with a resolution related to the greenhouse gas inventory scope and with implementation details for the solar study recommendations.