Environmental Groups "Get Personal" to Protect Environment in Rochester

In response to Governor David Paterson’s proposal to slash New York State’s environmental trust fund by more than a third, dozens of conservation, environmental, public health, historic and farmland preservation, zoos, botanical gardens and aquaria groups, and others, decided to get personal with state legislators.

In response to Governor David Paterson’s proposal to slash New York State’s environmental trust fund by more than a third, dozens of conservation, environmental, public health, historic and farmland preservation, zoos, botanical gardens and aquaria groups, and others, decided to get personal with state legislators.

The groups launched the “We Love New York” campaign with personal ads placed on billboards in high traffic areas and must-read news blogs and publications read by legislative staffers in and around the New York State Capital. Ads are also running in weekly and community papers in lawmakers’ districts from Buffalo to Syracuse to New York City, the Adirondacks and Long Island.

Rochester area environmental activists are encouraged to post "missed connection" and "personal ads" on craigs list and in other online and print media targeting NY lawmakers such as:

"Senator Alesi - WLTM lawmaker for FS LTR with EPF - me love clean water and air, must want same" - ladybug@keepprotectingny.org

"Senator Alesi - You walking in park. Me hiding in tree with the blue feathers. Lets get together and restore environmental protection for Rochester." - bluebird@keepprotectingny.org

The first print ad features a few of New York’s official state critters (snapping turtle, brook trout, bluebird and beaver) announcing their resignations, ironic given the scandal in Albany.

In his state budget proposal, Governor Paterson proposed slashing the Fund by $69 million or 33 percent. We Love New York is asking lawmakers to show their love for the Empire State by restoring these resources.

Since it was established, New York’s leaders have raided the State’s Environmental Protection Fund to the tune of $500,000 million. Because of these cuts, the State is lagging behind in its commitments to municipalities and nonprofit organizations statewide, leaving New Yorkers holding the bag.

The deep cuts proposed this year forced the groups to take action to protect their interests. Other public interest groups saw monies cut by one or two percent.

This is the second year in a row that the Governor disproportionately cut the Fund, which safeguards New York’s air and water quality, updates sewage treatment facilities, keeps working farms operating, preserves historic heritage and open space, revitalizes waterfronts, monitors pesticide use, and much more.

We Love New York began on March 4th and will run through the end of state budget negotiations. The budget is due to be approved by April 1st, but disagreements between the Governor and Legislature have often caused delays.

* ISO= in search of; FS= financially secure; LTR= long term relationship; EPF=Environmental Protection Fund.