The Environmental Protection Fund -- the centerpiece of New York's conservation efforts -- generates $7 in economic returns for every $1 invested, according to a new analysis.

(design by SmartMeme Studios)The Trust for Public Land, a national conservation organization, also determined that the EPF supports industries that generate approximately $40 billion annually for New York's economy and sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs. Conducted in collaboration with the Environmental Leaders Group (of which NYLCV is a proud member), the study also found that the output from the EPF also generates positive yearly economic returns for jobs, local economies, and property values.

"It's time we started looking at the EPF in a different way; not just as the state's premier tool to protect the environment, but also as a sound economic investment for a state that is still recovering from the worst recession in three generations," said Carl Meyer, President and COO of The Solar Energy Consortium. "This report clearly demonstrates that the EPF is a job creator and revenue generator for New York. Enhanced investment in the EPF will only increase those benefits."

The EPF funds the protection of open space and farmland, recycling and solid waste management, and investments in local parks, recreation, and historic preservation. These EPF-supported activities support a broad spectrum of industries, including outdoor recreation, tourism, forest products, and agriculture as well as protecting the drinking water for millions of New Yorkers.

The analysis also found yearly returns on EPF funding include:

• The New York State Park System - which receives significant support from the EPF - generates $1.9 billion in visitor spending, five times more than management and operations costs.
• EPF-supported industries sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs, including but not limited to:
• Outdoor recreation activity: 130,000 jobs
• Forest-related manufacturing and logging: 38,000 jobs
• Farm operators and laborers: 117,000 jobs
• Recycling: 32,000 jobs
• EPF protected lands that support wildlife-associated recreation in New York attract millions of visitors annually who participate in fishing, hunting, or wildlife watching, which generates more than $3 billion in annual sales.

Protecting the Environmental Protection Fund is a key part of NYLCV's 2012 State Policy Agenda. Our policy team will also play a big part in Monday's EPF lobby day at the state Capitol (learn more here).