The Nature Conservancy Praises Investment in New York’s Environment

Environmental Protection Fund Increased to $255 million in Difficult Budget Year

Albany, NY — April 7, 2008 — On Friday, April 4, 2008 the New York State Legislature passed the Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation budget bill (S 6805-D/A 9805-D). The budget bill included an increase to the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) – bringing the fund to an all-time high of $255 million.

“Even in this difficult fiscal climate, the Governor and the Legislature came together and agreed once again that New York’s natural resources are a sound investment,” stated Kathy Moser, Acting State Director for The Nature Conservancy in New York. “The Environmental Protection Fund has been producing benefits in communities throughout the State since 1994, and we are happy that it continues to grow.”

The EPF is used by the Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Department of State, and Department of Agriculture and Markets for programs that protect open space, clean water, working farmland, urban and wilderness parklands, provide effective municipal recycling programs, breast cancer research, and support zoos, botanical gardens, aquaria and other environmental education centers in every corner of New York.

“The Nature Conservancy is especially encouraged to see several categories of particular interest to our organization receive increases,” stated Moser. We are heartened to see that our priorities are shared by state leaders. We are thankful to Governor David Paterson and the Environmental Conservation Committee Chairmen Senator Carl Marcellino (Syosset) and Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (Lindenhurst) for their continued support of critical environmental programs,” Moser added.

Funding for open space protection and land acquisition was increased from $55 million to $66 million. Hudson River Estuary Program funding was increased from $5.5 million to $6.5 million. Funding for Ocean and Great Lakes protection was increased from $4 million to $5 million, and funds that support zoos, botanical gardens and aquaria was increased from $8 million to $9 million. Additionally, funding for invasive species prevention and eradication was restored to $5 million.

Under legislation passed and signed into law in 2007, the Environmental Protection Fund will increase to $300 million for fiscal year 2009-2010. The Nature Conservancy is committed to ensuring full funding of environmental programs in New York State, protecting the integrity of the state investment, and seeking out new opportunities to fund vital programs and initiatives that protect our land, waters and air.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.