CONTACT:
Riley Johndonnell, Director of Communications & Creative Strategies
845 473 4440 Ext. 222, rjohndonnell@scenichudson.org
For Immediate Release
HUDSON VALLEY – Scenic Hudson commends Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature for passing a robust budget that sustains funding for vital environmental and climate resiliency initiatives. The FY 2025-26 budget boasts a historic level of funding for the Environmental Protection Fund and the largest investment in resiliency in New York’s history, demonstrating the strong commitment of our elected officials as stewards and protectors of our air, land, and water, now and for future generations.
Scenic Hudson expresses its strong support for these final state budget provisions:
- $425 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), including these programs:
- $19.5 million for Climate Resilient Farms
- $18 million for Soil and Water Conservation Districts
- $25 million for Farmland Protection
- $42 million for Open Space and Land Conservation
- $200 million for New York State Parks capital improvements
- $500 million for clean water infrastructure
- The exemption of nonprofit conservation organizations from the payment of the “Mansion Tax,” a real estate transfer tax imposed by New York State on properties exceeding $1 million
- $289,000 to the City of Kingston and $33,000 to the Town of Ulster to address decreased tax revenue to these host communities of Sojourner Truth State Park
- $1 billion for the Sustainable Future Fund
These programs will guarantee that New Yorkers continue to benefit from access to nature, clean drinking water, and healthy, local food, even without current federal funding.
Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan said, “We commend Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for coming together to create a budget that puts environmental concerns front and center. Importantly, this year’s budget includes increased funding for farmland protection and open space conservation. These budget augmentations will empower land trusts like Scenic Hudson to expand land conservation efforts across the state, thereby facilitating the achievement of the state’s 30×30 objective. Increased funding, coupled with the exemption of nonprofit conservation organizations from the Mansion Tax, clearly demonstrates our state decisionmakers’ understanding of how these elements work together to secure a healthy and vibrant future for New York.”
Government Relations Manager Carli Fraccarolli said, “We are thrilled that the NYS budget includes $19.5 million for the Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) program within the EPF. Launched in 2015, the CRF grant program has been highly successful, assisting hundreds of farms across the state in implementing regenerative farming practices and reducing agricultural carbon emissions. We are grateful that the state has stepped up to significantly increase the amount of funding that will go directly to supporting farmers in their implementation of practices that benefit both soil health and farm viability, including improved water quality and increased food system resiliency. We thank the Chairs of the Senate and Assembly Agriculture Committees for their tireless commitment to strengthening our family and working farms, and preserving the many benefits they bring to our communities and the environment.”
