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Mayor Ben Walsh, left, and Professor Emanuel J. Carter.
Syracuse Mayor Walsh Proclaims April 22, 2025 Emanuel J. Carter Day
ESF landscape architecture professor honored for dedication to urban forestry, sustainable design
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – April 22, 2025 – Today, in conjunction with Earth Day, Mayor Ben Walsh has proclaimed April 22 as Emanuel J. Carter Day in Syracuse, honoring the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) associate professor for his lifelong commitment to urban forestry and sustainable design.
Inspired by his childhood experiences in Wissahickon, a forest within Philadelphia. Carter's belief in the essential role of nature in the healthy development of young people has driven his efforts to integrate natural elements into urban environments, particularly in educational and public spaces.
The proclamation was made as part of the city’s Sustainable Syracuse Initiative launch held on the ESF campus. Along with the proclamation, the event included a presentation on the Sustainable Syracuse Initiative, and discussion with City departments about current and past work in this area.
While honoring Carter with the proclamation, Walsh noted his relationship with the Professor began while working for the SUNY Center for Brownfield Studies when he took one of Carter’s classes. That class inspired him and led him to look at cities from a more nuanced viewpoint.
“The class I took with Professor Carter led me in the direction that ultimately put me in city hall as mayor,” said Walsh. “ESF holds a special place in my heart and played a big role … in our policy priorities and initiatives in city government. I want to thank you, Emanuel for inspiring me, for guiding me down this path and doing so for thousands of students over the years and for constituents throughout our community. You are truly a gem.”
“We are incredibly proud of Professor Carter and his remarkable achievements,” noted ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “Emanuel’s work exemplifies the mission of ESF to extend our expertise beyond the College's borders and into the community. He has demonstrated how academic research and community collaboration can drive meaningful change. Professor Carter’s contributions have not only enriched our students' learning experiences but have also improved the quality of life for Syracuse residents."
Said Carter, “I've been a fortunate man. My career choices have been beneficial to me and to the communities that I serve. I've actually been paid to do the things I believe in, which is really a blessing,”
When Carter first came to Syracuse he worked for the Syracuse Department of Community Development where he began collaborating with ESF experts. He eventually moved from the Community Development department to the ESF’s Department of Landscape Architecture faculty.
“When I switched from working for the Department of Community Development to working for ESF, I felt as if I moved kind of within one organization. I've been blessed with working with wonderful colleagues here at the College, the wonderful staff and administrators, and elected officials with the city and mission-driven students, which is an absolute pleasure. It does not get better than that.”
In 1985, Carter established Renaissance Studio to focus on historic preservation, community design, and educational workshops, while also becoming an assistant professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at ESF. During his 40 years at the College, he has emphasized the importance of biodiversity and natural processes to the human-nature relationship and people’s well-being, and how that must be integrated into all aspects of urban design.
Carter has contributed to the development of the Onondaga Creek Master Plan focusing on urban design and community engagement to enhance the creek's environmental and recreational value. He has worked to revitalize park gardens and woodlands in Syracuse, promoting green spaces and urban forestry, and has worked on studies and plans for the Near Southside to improve community development.
Emanuel J. Carter Day coincides with ESF Day in Syracuse and Onondaga County as declared by a joint proclamation in 2020.
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.