Environmental Organizations Applaud New York Legislature for Passing Landmark Conservation Bill

Bill sets a statewide goal of conserving 30 percent of New York’s land and water by 2030.

Albany, NY (May 23, 2022) – Today, the New York State Senate passed S. 6191-A sponsored by Senator Todd Kaminsky. The companion legislation, A.5390-B sponsored by Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy, was passed by the State Assembly on April 27, 2022. If signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, New York will become the fifth (5) state to set a goal to conserve 30 percent of state land and water by 2030, joining national and international efforts to protect the natural systems we depend on for food, water, and work.

Scientific research demonstrates we must protect or restore 30 percent of land and water by 2030 to preserve biodiversity and avoid the worst effects of global warming. A state 30 by 30 goal would preserve important wildlife habitats, increase access to parks and green spaces, and accelerate collaborative conservation efforts that protect the natural resources we all depend on.

Mikaela Ruiz-Ramón, New York Policy Coordinator, American Farmland Trust, said, “We commend Assemblymember Fahy and Senator Kaminksy for their leadership on this bill, which will enhance climate efforts in New York by supporting biodiversity and conservation. New York’s farmers and other private landowners will be integral to achieving this ambitious goal to protect and conserve 30 percent of New York’s lands and waters by 2030. As some of our best land stewards, farmers innately understand the value of conservation, and by supporting them in permanently protecting more farmland and increasing adoption of conservation practices like advanced grazing management, planting cover crops, conservation crop rotation, and agroforestry, farmers can help support biodiversity while building resilience to climate change and sequestering carbon, all while growing the food we need to survive. We encourage Governor Hochul to swiftly sign this important bill and look forward to supporting farmers in contributing to this critical goal!”

“The Nature Conservancy commends the State Senate and Assembly for passing legislation establishing a goal of conserving 30 percent of New York’s land and water by 2030, and thanks bill sponsors Assemblymember Fahy and Senator Kaminsky for their leadership. This new goal will reinvigorate collaborative efforts to conserve the lakes and bays where we swim and fish; the forests and wetlands that provide wildlife habitat; the sources of our clean drinking water; and the places New Yorkers rely on for jobs, adventure, and solace. We urge Governor Hochul to sign the bill into law and look forward to collaborating to help the state meet this critical goal,” said Jessica Ottney Mahar, The Nature Conservancy’s New York policy and strategy director.

“The Land Trust Alliance applauds New York’s efforts to combat the climate and biodiversity crises,” said Meme Hanley, the Land Trust Alliance’s New York senior program manager. “Accelerating the rate of conservation to protect at least 30 percent of the state’s land and waters by 2030 is a smart strategy that will better protect people from extreme weather, sequester carbon, conserve habitat and provide more equitable access to nature’s benefits for those living in urban, suburban and rural areas. The nearly 90 land trusts located in communities across New York are ready to play their role in advancing private land conservation to achieve all these benefits and more. “We thank the state Senate and Assembly for their leadership. With Governor Hochul’s support, New York will be on the path to a healthier and safer future.”

"The New York League of Conservation Voters applauds Assemblymember Fahy, Senator Kaminsky, and the entire legislature for passing legislation to preserve 30 percent of our land and water by 2030," said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "Achieving 30x30 will expand access to nature, protect ecosystems, mitigate climate change, and advance national land conservation goals."

“Thanks to the strong leadership of Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Senator Todd Kaminsky, the 30x30 land protection bill, which passed the Assembly late last month, is one step closer to becoming law,” said Kim Elliman, president and CEO of the Open Space Institute. “This important legislation acknowledges that strategic land conservation is a critical tool and a natural solution to protect vital water sources, provide critical recreational opportunities, save habitat for wildlife, and mitigate the worst effects of climate change.”

“We have lost more than three billion birds since 1970, and these steep declines demonstrate that we need to take immediate action to protect the places birds need to survive,” said Erin McGrath, Policy Manager for Audubon New York. “We applaud the New York State Legislature for passing legislation that will establish a 30x30 goal for New York State, and thank Senator Hoylman and Assemblymember Fahy for their leadership. Scientists have long recognized that a proportion of habitat in a broad landscape needs to be maintained or restored to a natural state in order to stop environmental decline, and establishing a strategy for conserving thirty percent of our lands and waters is the first step to achieving that goal.”

"New York State is experiencing extreme flooding, heat, and other impacts from climate change, and we need to keep land in its natural state to buffer our communities," said Carter Strickland, Vice president Mid-Atlantic Region, New York State Director for Trust for Public Land. "The good news is that protecting land will also expand equitable access to nature and also protect drinking water, and we're proud to support New York’s action to join the national and international movement to protect 30% of our land by 2030.”

“Scenic Hudson extends our thanks to legislative leaders for passing the 30x30 bill. Its implementation will protect biodiversity, mitigate climate change impacts, improve public health, and increase access to nature for all New Yorkers. Scenic Hudson and our partners in land conservation throughout the Hudson Valley have been collaborating to permanently protect the land and natural resources in our region, and we are poised and ready to partner with the state to carry out the 30x30 policy,” said Andy Bicking, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for Scenic Hudson.

Ed Marx, Northeast Project Manager for Wildlands Network, said, "We applaud the New York State legislature's passage of a goal to conserve 30% of the State's land by 2030. This is an important step forward in protecting biodiversity in North America and makes New York State a leader in the national movement to conserve 30 percent of the nation's land and waters by 2030. Wildlands Network looks forward to contributing its expertise in collaboration with NGO, tribal, State and Federal agency, and local government partners, as well as interested citizens, to develop a plan to achieve this landmark goal."

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Contact
Sheila Webb-Halpern, 518-690-7846, sheila.webb-halpern@tnc.org