The Green Scarf Brigade Seeks Sustained Investments in Parks

After two years of virtual events, Parks & Trails New York, along with our partners from the Open Space Institute, was very glad to bring the “green scarf brigade” back together! This fashion-forward group descended on Albany to connect with our state’s decision-makers at our impactful Park Advocacy Day on Wednesday, March 8. The 17th anniversary of PAD brought park and public land advocates together from across New York State to to share the vital importance of investing in our parks, historic sites, and open spaces.

This year, we engaged in meaningful conversations with 35 legislators from every corner of the state. 60 advocates, representing 20 Friends groups, 5 partner organizations, and 11 State Park Regional Commissioners encouraged legislature support for a range of proposed budget items including: increased operating funds for OPRHP; a $400 million Environmental Protection Fund (EPF); and a $2 million Park and Trail Partnership Grant Program.

We also urged our state decision makers to maintain NY’s current level of investment in our iconic state park system, restoring capital funding for State Parks to the previous year's $250 million, and raising the Open Space line in the EPF back to $40 million.

During our morning program, held in the spacious Hart Lounge at the Egg Performing Arts Center, advocates were gathered into nine teams based on geographical regions. Teams prepped by reviewing talking points, going over lobbying tips, getting to know each other, and planning the day's logistics. We had the distinct opportunity of hearing from champions of our parks system, including State Parks Commissioner, Erik Kulleseid; Chair of the State Council of Parks, Bryan Erwin; and leading friends of public green space Senators Jose Serrano and Pete Harckham, both chairs of key committees overseeing recreation and conservation in the legislature. It was enlivening to hear from these influential leaders about the potential impact these budget items will have if approved.

In addition to their stories and words of encouragement, many of our speakers also shared remembrances, appreciations, and stories of working beside our late Executive Director, Robin Dropkin. It was amazing to see how many lives Robin touched, and her tremendous impact on the parks, trails, and public lands of New York State.

As a sister action to Park Advocacy Day, over 50 partner organizations signed on to a letter outlining our priorities addressed to our state's leadership. We sent this letter to our legislators late last week as a final effort to secure vital continued investments in our parks, as well as the grassroots groups that steward and champion them. We will continue to monitor the developments with the state budget as each house releases its own budget proposal. The final NYS budget will ultimately be negotiated with the Governor’s office and finalized by April 1, the date it must be completed.

Thank you to everyone who traveled to Albany to participate in Park Advocacy Day. It was a joy to gather with you and give our parks a voice in our State Capitol. We couldn’t successfully fight for our parks without you!

For more information about our advocacy priorities or the impact of Friends groups on our public lands, visit the Friends Group Gateway, powered by Parks & Trails New York.