In order to save the state's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), a broad coalition of organizations committed to protecting the health of New York's land, air and water, as well as open space, botanical gardens, farms and zoos, launched an advertising campaign urging state lawmakers to restore money 

This ad began appearing in newspapers on Tuesday (click to see larger version).NYLCV is helping to underwrite the costs of this campaign, and we need your support. Please click here to contribute to our effort to protect the Environmental Protection Fund.

The campaign includes billboard, online and print advertisements, including personal ads slated to appear in papers across the state. The ads ask state leaders to demonstrate their love for New York by supporting the Environmental Protection Fund.

"We Love New York" is the first high profile advertising campaign ever mounted by the state's environmental groups, which believe the governor's proposed budget cuts are unfairly and irresponsibly harsh on environmental programs that protect public health and safety. Governor Paterson proposed slashing the Fund by $69 million or 33 percent in his 2010-2011 Executive Budget.  Click here to learn more about the campaign.

"The governor's proposed cuts to our Environmental Protection Fund are much deeper than those proposed for other parts of the state budget," says NYLCV's President, Marcia Bystryn. "While his budget plan calls for a slight increase in state spending this year, and smaller cuts to many state programs, New York's environment is being hit hard with cuts to programs that benefit every resident of the state."

The EPF ad appears on a billboard in downtown Albany - in view of state legislators and decisionmakers (click to see larger version).This is the second year in a row that the governor disproportionately cut the fund, which safeguards New York's air and water quality, updates sewage treatment facilities, keeps working farms operating, preserves historic heritage and open space, revitalizes waterfronts, monitors pesticide use, and much more. Last year, state lawmakers bucked the governor and restored a portion of the Fund during budget negotiations.

Governor Paterson's budget plan calls for a 33 percent cut in the EPF (down to $143 million), which includes the elimination of purchases of open space. The governor's plan also calls for the addition of $10 million in new expenses to the EPF, to pay for day-to-day state expenses.  

The success of this campaign relies on your financial support. Please help NYLCV protect the Environmental Protection Fund by making a contribution to help us underwrite the cost of this effort. Thank you!