“Green Scarf Brigade” Speaks, Legislature Responds

We at PTNY are thrilled to reflect on the success of Park Advocacy Day 2024! In conjunction with our partners at the Open Space Institute we welcomed a record-breaking 140 advocates from across the state to the Capitol in Albany February 27. Together, we celebrated the progress made for the NYS Park System over the past 100 years while fighting to ensure these public lands are funded and protected well into the next century and beyond.

During this momentous event, 22 teams of advocates urged our state Legislators to ensure our public lands are appropriately funded, especially during this Centennial Year for State Parks. Our collective voice echoed through the halls of power as we stumped for the following crucial initiatives to be included in the New York State Budget:

✅ $250 million in capital funding for NYS State Parks and Historic Sites
✅ $90 million for DEC’s Adventure New York Program
✅ $100 million for a special capital infusion for State Parks’ Centennial Celebration through the ‘NYSWIMS’ Initiative
✅ $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), including $2 million for the Park and Trail Partnership Program

Read PTNY’s full 2024 advocacy priorities here.

These initiatives reflect our collective commitment to preserving and enhancing our public lands for the benefit of present and future generations. They also represent PTNY’s dedication to ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to high-quality outdoor spaces that promote health, wellness, and community.

In addition to connecting with our state legislators, Park Advocacy Day brought together a diverse group of advocates from all corners of New York. Attendees enjoyed an engaging morning program and post-event happy hour to connect, network, promote their work, and lay the groundwork for potential partnerships serving our public lands. From Long Island to Buffalo, advocates from 50 different Friends groups, 8 NYS Regional Park Commissions, and a dozen unique partner organizations showed up with a driving passion to share their stories on how funding for our public lands continues to impact their work, lives, and communities.

We were also grateful to hear from an impressive lineup of speakers including Assemblymember Deborah Glick (Chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation), Senator Jose Serrano (Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks & Recreation), parting NYS OPRHP Commissioner Erik Kulleseid, interim OPRHP Commissioner Randy Simons, and–for the first time–parting NYSDEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. These individuals continue to champion our state public lands on a daily basis. PTNY applauds the work they do daily to ensure these lands remain protected and funded for the benefit of all New Yorkers.

During Park Advocacy Day attendees engaged with over 80 legislative offices… more than double our impact from the previous year! This heightened level of participation is a testament to the collective determination of NY’s public land champions to ensure these cherished spaces receive the attention, and resources, they deserve.

As we await finalization of the State Budget in early April, we are filled with hope and optimism for the future of our public lands. Together, we have shown that when we unite behind a common goal, we have the power to create meaningful change.

Since Park Advocacy Day, the NY Senate and Assembly have released their respective One-House FY 2025 Budget Proposals.

We applaud the Senate's proposed $250 million annual New York Works capital funding for New York State Parks that reflects a crucial commitment to addressing a $3.5 billion infrastructure backlog, ensuring access to recreational and health benefits for all New Yorkers. Equally commendable is the rejection of a $25 million cut to the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for staffing, and the maintenance of record funding levels for park-related grant programs by both the Assembly and Senate.

However, challenges remain, and we urge a rejection of cuts proposed by the Assembly to the state land infrastructure, access, and stewardship projects line, and support increasing the overall line to the $50 million proposed by the Senate. Additionally, we strongly support the Senate’s proposal to raise the EPF to a record $425 million, and are excited to continue working towards a $500 million EPF in the future. These proposed funding initiatives underscore a shared dedication to safeguarding our natural heritage and maintaining accessible green spaces for all.

Read PTNY’s full response to the Senate and Assembly’s one-house budgets here.

We are immensely proud of the efforts of each and every advocate who lent their voice to this important cause. Your passion and dedication have made a tangible difference in the fight for fully funded parks and historic sites.

Didn’t get the chance to make it out to Park Advocacy Day 2024?
There's still time to make a difference! Help spread our budget requests to your legislators today.