Earlier this week Governor Cuomo announced a significant achievement in land protection in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley with an emphasis on recreation and local tourism. Of the 4,000 acres identified for park expansion, more than 2,700 acres were protected by OSI, including land expanding Minnewaska, Schunnemunk, and Harriman State Parks.
With his 2020 State-of-the-State address, Governor Cuomo expanded on the critical role strategic land conservation can and does play in fighting climate change, protecting our water, lessening the effects of flooding, and preserving wildlife habitat.
We applaud Governor Cuomo for forcefully arguing that land conservation is vital in the public’s enjoyment of nature, as well as being part of the solutions needed to address the greatest environmental challenges of our generation. The Open Space Institute looks forward to working with the administration in support a Bond Act that pursues natural, land-based solutions to climate change, protecting water sources, habitat restoration, and mitigating flood damage.