NYSEG and RG&E Highlight Their Conservation Achievements Following National Wildlife Day 

The Companies were recognized through the University of Illinois Chicago for their conservation efforts for the monarch butterfly 

Through the Pollinator Partnership, several employees achieved the title of pollinator steward, gaining certification for the Environmental and Permitting Department 

In addition, RG&E launched a pollinator habitat garden in downtown Rochester and is working towards building additional sites 

 

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — September 17, 2025 — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) are highlighting their conservation achievements following National Wildlife Day, underscoring their commitment to environmental stewardship and biodiversity. 

“Our team’s goal is to provide reliable power through smart vegetation management informed by data and analytics. At the same time, we have a responsibility as a company to ensure our work is environmentally conscious,” said Paul Paradine, manager of Vegetation Management for NYSEG and RG&E. “We aim to bridge our core mission of reliable energy delivery with care for the ecosystems that sustain us all, every day.” 

The Companies were recognized, with a certificate from the University of Illinois Chicago for their successful conservation efforts supporting the monarch butterfly. NYSEG and RG&E successfully implemented conservation practices across 9,413 acres, exceeding their targets by an impressive 433 percent.  

In addition to monarch conservation, NYSEG and RG&E are advancing pollinator health through employee education and habitat creation. Several employees from the Environmental and Permitting Department and Vegetation Management Department completed the Pollinator Steward Certification Program administered by the Pollinator Partnership—the largest nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to pollinator health. This certification includes an educational lecture series, a community outreach initiative, and the creation of pollinator habitats. 

As part of this initiative, RG&E launched a pollinator habitat garden at its 3 City Center location in Rochester and is planning additional gardens at offices across New York. The Companies also promote milkweed and nectar-rich flora within utility rights-of-way, use selective herbicide treatments, and designate areas to remain undisturbed during maintenance cycles to encourage habitat growth. 

This certification will further enhance employees’ knowledge of sustainable techniques and solutions, helping NYSEG and RG&E continue to deliver safe, reliable power while supporting environmental conservation.