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Conservation board highlights nursery, pollinator and tree-ambassador programs in annual report
Summary
Karen Burgerer, chair of Brighton's conservation board, told the Town Board the board reviewed 11 development projects and 141 town trees, is operating a Buckland Park tree nursery (~350 saplings), expanding a pollinator pathway and training volunteers as tree ambassadors; the board seeks grant funding to expand work.
Karen Burgerer, chair of the Brighton Conservation Board, presented the board's annual report to the Town Board on June 10, 2026, summarizing recent projects and plans to expand citizen-driven tree and habitat work.
Burgerer told the board the conservation board reviewed 11 development projects this year and evaluated 141 town trees; about half of the trees reviewed were recommended for removal and replacement while others were deemed suitable for trimming and monitoring. She said the board has been meeting with town arborist Kyle Sears to improve post-recommendation tracking and to develop a better online inventory of town trees.
The report highlighted a Buckland Park tree nursery inaugurated in April 2025 that the board said is currently raising close to 350 trees. Burgerer also described the town's pollinator pathway program (39 trees registered as of 2025) and reported that a native-plant sale on June 6 drew roughly 650 attendees and multiple vendors.
Burgerer described a newly launched Tree Ambassador volunteer program, led by conservation board member George Smith, which has trained 22 volunteers (19 adults and three youth) to provide basic maintenance and outreach for young town trees. She said the program has begun direct homeowner outreach — including mulching guidance — and aims to reduce young-tree losses and encourage canopy growth.
Burgerer said the conservation board is preparing a grant proposal to the Monroe County Climate Action Fund to secure more stable funding for the nursery and ambassador program, noting that much of the programs' early support has come from citizen donations and small town expenditures.
Supervisor Bill Mey thanked the conservation board and said the town is committing to a higher replacement ratio: when town trees are removed, they will be replaced at a 1.5-for-1 ratio going forward to accelerate canopy growth. Burgerer and board members also said they are coordinating with the town on improved GIS-based public tree inventories and greater collaboration with other boards and staff.
The presentation was received and filed by the Town Board.
