Advocates from all over New York converged on the state Capitol on Monday to fight for funding to protect the environment.

The EPF creates jobs one buck at a time (get it? buck? like dollars). Here, a volunteer stands with Sen. Mark Grisanti.The Environmental Protection Fund -- which supports everything from zoos and botanical gardens, to open space and recycling -- is currently part of the state budget negotiations. NYLCV and our partners want to make sure this fund is robust and efficient as possible.

Members of NYLCV's policy team and scores of advocates fanned out to legislative offices in both houses of the state Legislature, and spoke with members of both parties, to hammer home the important role the EPF plays.

Their work was bolstered by an economic study released last week that found every one dollar invested in the environment yields a seven dollar economic return. In other words, the EPF is important to the environment AND economy.

To advance this effort, NYLCV is also supporting an advertising campaign to remind lawmakers how much their constituents care about the EPF. Ads are running in a number of locations, including the Legislative Gazette, Albany Times Union and City & State. 

And for those who care about the EPF but were unable to attend Monday's lobby day, never fear. Keep an eye out in the coming days for an NYLCV ACTION ALERT that will make it easy to ask your local representatives to protect the Environmental Protection Fund!

Thanks to all the volunteers and partner organizations who made this a day to remember!