FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2025
Press Contact: Sheila Webb-Halpern | sheila.webb-halpern@tnc.org

Albany, NY – Members of the New Yorkers for Clean Water and Jobs coalition thanked Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for setting a new historic funding level for the Environmental Protection Fund in the enacted 2025-2026 state budget. The budget agreement included funding for critical environmental programs that protect clean air and water, create good jobs, conserve natural resources, and modernize New York’s critical infrastructure systems. 

This year’s state budget included:

• $425 million for the Environment Protection Fund, a historic funding level

• $500 million for clean water projects, growing total funding to $6 billion over the last decade

• $200 million for capital projects at New York State Parks 

• $90 million for capital projects at NYS Department of Environmental Conservation sites

Every New Yorker depends on programs that protect clean water, clean air, and natural resources. Environmental programs strengthen the economy, protect public health, and connect people to the great outdoors. The enacted state budget grows environmental funding that benefits every county in New York State including every borough of New York City. 

Members of the coalition thanked Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah Glick, and members of the Senate and Assembly who made these environmental appropriations during this year’s state budget process.  

“The Nature Conservancy is thrilled the state budget includes a record $425 million in funding for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). A critical state program, the EPF protects clean air and water, prevents pollution, preserves wildlife habitat, and creates incredible recreation opportunities for millions of New Yorkers. State conservation funding is essential to public health and a strong economy. The Nature Conservancy commends and thanks Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for including historic conservation investments in this year’s budget.” – Jessica Ottney Mahar, The Nature Conservancy’s New York policy and strategy director

“The Open Space Institute thanks Governor Hochul and the New York State Senate and Assembly for upholding the wishes of New Yorkers to conserve our state’s precious natural resources and iconic landscapes, and make nature more welcoming and accessible to all. In particular, we applaud the increase to the Environmental Protection Fund, bringing it to historically high levels. We also appreciate the efforts by Governor Hochul and the Senate to modernize the state’s antiquated land acquisition processes and accelerate land protection. We look forward to continuing our dialogue with the administration, the Attorney General’s office, and legislators to identify meaningful solutions to hasten the pace of conservation in New York State.” – Erik Kulleseid, president and CEO of the Open Space Institute (OSI)

“We thank the Governor and the legislature for their unwavering support of the Environmental Protection Fund in the state budget, including funding for farmland protection, the Cornell Soil Health program, and funding for farm water quality projects. The addition of $1 million for capacity grants for land trusts will go a long way in getting farmers the help they need to preserve their land and continue their land stewardship work.” – David Fisher, President, New York Farm Bureau

“When it comes to protecting clean water, New York continues to do what Washington won’t: invest. The $500 million in this year’s budget for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act keeps a vital promise to communities across the state—whether they rely on public systems or private wells. This funding helps remove lead pipes, tackle PFAS pollution, and modernize the infrastructure our health depends on. It’s the kind of quiet, essential work that doesn’t make headlines—but makes all the difference.” – Katherine Nadeau: Deputy Executive Director, Policy and Programs; Environmental Advocates NY

"We are incredibly thankful for New York State’s ongoing commitment to environmental funding. This support makes it possible for organizations like ours to protect the lands and waters that make our region so special for both people and wildlife." – Marisa Riggi, Executive Director, Western New York Land Conservancy 

“Thank you Governor Hochul for your commitment in the new budget your commitment to  open space conservation in urban areas where community gardens are a lifeline for neighbors living in crammed quarters. As a land Trust, Brooklyn Queens Land Trust is committed to conserving the 36 community gardens that the organization owns.” – Irene W Van Slyke, Treasurer, Brooklyn Queens Land Trust

“This is a moment to celebrate as this year's New York State Budget affirms the importance of providing healthy environments to all by protecting the land and water upon which we depend. The historic level of funding for the EPF is an investment in our communities across that state that will have a positive impact for generations to come. It supports farmland protection; access to healthy, locally grown food; the preservation of woodlands, meadows and wetlands; preservation of habitats for animals and plant life; recreational places for all New Yorkers; and programs that improve our drinking and surface waters. We thank the Governor, the leadership in the Senate and Assembly, and legislators from across the state, and in particular our Long Island delegation, for making this commitment.” – John v.H. Halsey, President, Peconic Land Trust 

“We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for delivering a historic $425 million Environmental Protection Fund in this year’s state budget. This investment is essential to protecting the natural resources of the Adirondacks and Catskills and will directly support stewardship programs that ensure these landscapes remain healthy and accessible for future generations. We thank our state leaders for recognizing the value of these iconic regions and the importance of sustained environmental funding.” – Cortney Worrall, Executive Director, Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK)        

“Thanks to the Governor and the Legislature, the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust will be able to continue its natural resource protection program, which conserves lands around Fort Drum. This is a critical buffer area between the installation perimeter and surrounding communities.” – Mark Pacilio, Executive Director, Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust

“The need for clean water funding at the state level is enormous. Communities in the Long Island Sound region and across New York State depend on programs like the Environmental Protection Fund and Clean Water Infrastructure Act to upgrade their old, insufficient wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, which is overmatched by the challenges we’re facing. We appreciate Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Environmental Conservation committee chair Pete Harckham, Assembly Environmental Conservation committee chair Deborah Glick, and all the environmental champions in the Legislature for their commitment to clean water protections.” – David Ansel, vice president of Save the Sound's Center for Water Protection

“We are thrilled that the NYS budget includes $19.5 million for the Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) program within the EPF. Launched in 2015, the CRF grant program has been highly successful, assisting hundreds of farms across the state in implementing regenerative farming practices and reducing agricultural carbon emissions. We are grateful that the State has stepped up to significantly increase the amount of funding that will go directly to supporting farmers in their implementation of practices that benefit both soil health and farm viability, including improved water quality and increased food system resiliency. We thank the Chairs of the Senate and Assembly Agriculture Committees for their tireless commitment to strengthening our family and working farms, and preserving the many benefits they bring to our communities and the environment.” – Carli Fraccarolli, Government Relations Manager, Scenic Hudson

"This budget allocates crucial funding for Adirondack and Catskill Park priorities, as well as vital environmental initiatives in two of New York’s most iconic landscapes,” said Raul J. Aguirre, Executive Director of the Adirondack Council. “It strengthens wilderness protection, public education, and critical forest preserve stewardship. Without this support, we risk losing essential services, including our front-country visitor centers, which serve as the public’s primary resource for trail conditions, backcountry safety, and Leave No Trace education. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the Legislature for acknowledging these needs and ensuring this important funding continues." – Raul J. Aguirre, Executive Director, The Adirondack Council

“Now more than ever, this historic funding commitment is critical to supporting the protection of our cultural and natural resources. Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) is deeply grateful to Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature for their support.” – Erin Tobin, Executive Director, Adirondack Architectural Heritage

“Thanks to determined environmental leadership in Albany, at $425 million the EPF has reached a new, needed high point. We are especially grateful for the EPF’s Adirondack priorities: lakes, rivers, drinking water, forest preserve, human communities, science-based monitoring, educational, diversity initiatives, and open space conservation. Thank you!” – David Gibson, Managing Partner, Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve

“This year’s budget shows New York is serious about bold environmental and public health investments. These commitments will help ensure people across the state can count on meaningful action to protect natural resources, improve public health, and create lasting change. Outdoor Promise is proud to be part of the coalition that made this possible.” – Ronald Zorrilla, Executive Director, Outdoor Promise

“The Grassland Bird Trust, Inc. is most grateful to Governor Hochul, Carrie Woerner, and all other members of the New York State legislature who supported protection for rapidly vanishing grassland birds in New York State by initiating state funding for grassland conservation.  This is a landmark step to maintain American Kestrels, Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks, endangered Short-eared Owls, and other “at risk” grassland birds in New York State.” – Katherine Roome, Board Member, Grassland Bird Trust

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New Yorkers for Clean Water & Jobs is a broad coalition formed to demonstrate the vast support for New York environmental funding and programs that protect clean water and air, create jobs, and address the climate crisis. For more information, please visit: cleanwaterandjobs.org.