Citing the final FY 2016-2017 New York State budget, Audubon New York today praised Governor Andrew Cuomo, the State Senate and Assembly for funding the Environmental Protection Fund at an unprecedented $300 million, over $90 million in New York Works funding to support State Parks, $40 million for DEC’s New York Works program, including stewardship and access projects on DEC lands, and $350 million for the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act to provide grants to municipalities to undertake clean water and drinking water projects over the next two years.
“Investments in New York’s environment benefit the birds, people, and communities of our great state. The State Budget includes historic levels of funding to protect our natural resources and Audubon New York is grateful to Governor Cuomo and the Legislature for their leadership,” said Erin Crotty, Audubon New York’s executive director.
“New York has once again shown its national leadership on protecting the environment. The funding will support projects throughout our state that will result in cleaner water, improved public and environmental health protection, protect vital habitat, and address pressing climate change concerns. Additionally, increased investments in State Parks and public lands will continue to ensure stewardship projects and critical infrastructure and access improvements are made so that birds and other wildlife have improved habitat and people will have a pleasant and memorable experience at our State Parks and on our public lands.
We applaud this year’s investment in the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, the foundation for healthy communities and ecosystems across the state. Recent events have demonstrated what we have always known, that access to clean water is not only a human right, it’s imperative to maintaining a strong regional and state economy and ensuring a high-quality of life for all New Yorkers, birds, and other wildlife. These additional funds will ensure the advancement of critical water infrastructure projects needed to help sustain healthy water quality.
We commend the Legislature for increasing funding to protect habitats on private lands and thank the NYS Senate for recommending an Audubon administered Landowner Incentive Program in their budget proposal. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the State on its existing landowner incentive program. Working lands, including forests, shrublands, and grasslands, are central to New York’s economic and environmental health. More than 85% of forests and 95% of grasslands are privately owned and Audubon New York partners directly with many private landowners and land managers to develop, and voluntarily implement, habitat management plans that result in a sustainable future for birds and other wildlife while maintaining the economic productivity of land. Expanding this program will have tremendous benefits for New York.”
“The SFY16-17 NYS Budget solidifies our state’s role as an environmental conservation leader. Audubon looks forward to continuing our work with the Governor and the Legislature to advance the protection and restoration of New York’s natural resources and heritage,” Crotty said.
As a leading state program of the National Audubon Society, Audubon New York (Audubon NY) leads our network of 50,000 members, 27 local Audubon Chapters, seven sanctuaries and nature centers and our thousands of annual visitors, volunteers, and partners throughout the state. Audubon achieves its mission to protect birds and their habitats by connecting our vast and powerful network along the migratory flyways of the Americas through science, advocacy, education and on-the-conservation programs. Learn more at ny.audubon.org and @audubonny
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