A Fully-Funded Environmental Protection Fund (EPF)

Safeguarding and enhancing the environment for all New Yorkers

What’s at stake?

The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) is New York’s only dedicated capital investment program for the environment. It supports more than 100 environmental programs that provide a broad array of resources benefitting all New Yorkers. The demand for EPF-funded programs continues to outpace available funding by a wide margin. In response, Scenic Hudson joins the New Yorkers for Clean Water and Jobs coalition in urging the Legislature to increase the EPF to $500 million in the FY 2025-26 budget. Doing so will expand programs that will further protect our environment, enhance our communities, and bolster our economy. From safeguarding clean water to promoting climate resilience, an increased EPF would help to ensure a healthier, more vibrant future for our state by advancing the goals envisioned in New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

We support funding for individual EPF line items and programs at the following levels:

Soil and Water Conservation Districts: $17.25 million
(Governor proposed at $17.25 million)

Much of the current work to transition farms to climate-resilient farming practices in New York State would not be possible without local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). SWCDs play a pivotal role in providing targeted funding and delivering technical assistance to farmers and land managers in every county in the state, enabling the on-the-ground application of research-informed climate-resilient farming practices. In the Climate Action Council’s Scoping Plan, expanding SWCD capacity is a key component of multiple strategies to achieve our state’s climate goals. Scenic Hudson supports the Governor’s proposal to maintain the funding level for SWCDs at $17.25 million but encourages increased funding to further build District capacity to assist and educate farmers and land managers on the front lines of a changing climate. Through our regenerative agriculture initiatives, Scenic Hudson is working collaboratively with SWCDs in the Hudson Valley to promote sustainable agricultural practices that provide nutritious, local food and strengthen farm viability and essential ecosystem services.
Climate Resilient Farming Program: $33 million
(Governor proposed at $15.25 million)

Watch Scenic Hudson’s budget testimony on this topic here!

In October 2024, Scenic Hudson joined the Department of Agriculture and Markets, Assemblymember Didi Barrett, and Chaseholm Farm in Pine Plains to host a roundtable discussion with farmers regarding their experiences with the Hudson Valley Carbon Farming Pilot Project. This program piloted the implementation of regenerative farm practices and methods to study carbon and other greenhouse gas sequestration potential of on-farm best management practices on Hudson Valley farms. From that discussion, we learned how lessons from this pilot project have been applied throughout the region and across the state through key Department of Agriculture and Markets (DAM) and New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee (SWCC) programs, notably the Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) program.

Last year, the State was able to leverage funding from USDA’s Climate Smart Commodities grant program to accelerate the important on-farm work being accomplished through the CRF, disbursing approximately $33 million in grants to farmers implementing regenerative farming practices and reducing agricultural carbon emissions. However, even though the funds available for climate-resilient farming projects were more than doubled with the boost provided through this one-time federal grant, the program was not able to fulfill every funding request, the total of which exceeded $48 million. Scenic Hudson respectfully submits that $33 million should be the new funding floor for the Climate Resilient Farming Program, acknowledging the demonstrated need for funding and the fact that $33 million was put directly to work on farms in 2024 making immediate positive impacts. More funding for climate-resilient farming practices will support the farmers who are already using these methods and will enable more farmers to adopt both centuries-old and innovative practices that reduce on-farm emissions, sequester carbon, protect and increase water quality, increase food system resiliency and farm viability, and provide essential ecosystem services.
Farmland Protection: $25 million
(Governor proposed at $21 million)

The need to protect farmland is especially urgent in fast-growing regions of the state — such as the Capital Region and the Hudson Valley — facing acute development pressure and conversion of working farms to non-agricultural uses. To keep local farms in business and meet the growing demand for fresh food, the state must protect more farmland. We applaud the Governor for her proposal to significantly enhance the agricultural and farmland protection program, and encourage the Legislature to include this proposal in your one-house budgets.

To fulfill the promises of an expanded program, an annual allocation of at least $25 million is required. Protecting farmland and avoiding its conversion to other uses is a critical step in achieving the state’s conservation goals and ensuring that these precious lands are available to feed our communities and achieve climate solutions.

Scenic Hudson is continuing our work to conserve farmland in the Hudson Valley’s Foodshed.
Open Space/State Land Conservation: $50 million
(Governor proposed at $37.5 million)

New York State aims to significantly increase the conservation and enhancement of its natural resources; increasing funding to the EPF’s open space account can help to achieve that goal. Currently, 20% of the state has been protected, with an additional 3,190,806 acres needed to meet conservation targets. In the Hudson Valley alone, approximately 310,000 acres need to be conserved to meet a 30% conservation goal of the lands in our ten-county region. To meet the needs and priorities of our state, and to provide the benefits of fresh, local food, clean water, and physical health to all New Yorkers, we support an increase in the annual open space/land conservation allocation to at least $50 million.

Conservation of land and water plays a big role in achieving climate goals. Scenic Hudson developed Hudson Valley Conservation Strategy (HVCS) in part to identify the best potential conservation investments for achieving a resilient, functional, and productive landscape in the Hudson Valley region. Guided by the HVCS and our existing conservation strategies, we have conserved more than 53,000 acres, including creating or enhancing more than 65 parks, preserves, and historic sites that provide places for people to relax, enjoy recreation, and be inspired by the valley’s natural beauty and heritage. Increasing funding for open space and land conservation will allow Scenic Hudson and our regional and statewide partners to continue conserving the New York State land that matters most.
Conservation Partnership Program (CPP): $5 million
(Governor proposed at $3 million)

We join the Land Trust Alliance in requesting that the CPP be increased to $5 million in this year’s budget. The CPP is a successful public-private partnership between DEC and the Land Trust Alliance. It offers competitive grants to New York land trusts to advance local land conservation projects that provide climate, health, and economic benefits. The CPP is a model of efficiency as appropriated dollars are awarded annually in coordination with DEC, delivering tangible outcomes for communities and directly advancing New York’s Open Space Plan. With increased demand for open space, worsening climate change impacts, and growing awareness of the importance of locally led conservation in achieving conservation goals, it is critical to continue funding for this program within the EPF regardless of additional funds that are brought in from the Bond Act.

A Fully-Funded Environmental Protection Fund (EPF)

Safeguarding and enhancing the environment for all New Yorkers

What’s at stake?

More resources