The following is a statement from Erin Crotty, Executive Director of Audubon New York, the 50,000 member state program of the National Audubon Society, on 2014-2015 State Budget agreement.
“Audubon New York applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo, legislative leaders and their staff for committing new funding in the increased Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to promote partnerships with private landowners for habitat conservation. By providing support for the New York State Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) in the EPF, the state is ensuring that ongoing habitat conservation projects to restore and sustain declining populations of grassland bird species will continue to move forward.
Thanks to the efforts of Senator Mark Grisanti and Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, the State has advanced environmental conservation efforts in New York by incentivizing innovative partnerships with private landowners and increasing environmental funding that will help restore vital habitat, sustain natural resources, and secure the economic vitality of our state. This action matches similar federal investments provided through the Farm Bill, and will help support the entire lifecycle of many high priority bird species, all of which are important to the eco-tourism economy in New York State.”
Audubon New York is the State program of the National Audubon Society representing 27 local Chapters and 50,000 members across the state. Our mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.