Parks and Open Spaces News

New York City's forests, one of the city’s most valuable environmental assets, help mitigate climate change, provide clean air, and contribute to the well-being of residents. NYLCV’s NYC Program Director Adriana Espinoza recently testified at the City Council Parks Committee in support of investments to protect the hard-working trees that do so much to make NYC a healthier place.

You may already know about the recreational and environmental benefits of open green space. But do you know about the public safety benefits of greenspaces? A new study by the New York Restoration Project found a correlation between the creation of new green spaces and improvements in crime rates.

If you have been keeping up with the news lately, you are bound to have heard that this year is projected to be one of the hottest on record … again. New York suffers from increased temperatures compared to its suburbs and exurbs due to a phenomenon called the urban heat island effect.

As part of Vision Zero, DOT is bringing streets into the public realm by building pedestrian plazas. Turning streets from car-filled conduits into attractive places to relax makes city streets more inviting for pedestrians and help drivers become more aware of the need to drive slowly and attentively.

NYLCV and other state chapters took to Capitol Hill recently to lobby Congress for the Land and Water Conservation Fund's unabridged funding and indefinite reauthorization. At each meeting, legislators were presented with a complete list of projects the LCWF has sponsored in their districts with the intention of collaborating on an event at a cherished LWCF funded project and to serve as a reminder of the essential role the conservation program plays.

New York City is home to a massive urban canopy that provides enormous benefits beyond merely aesthetic appeal.

After 40 years, only 16% of private forest tract owners participate in the forestry tax credit. A new effort to reform the law hopes to change that.