Publications

NYLCVEF educational publications seek to shorten the learning curve for understanding New York’s environmental challenges and how they can be solved. NYLCVEF works with our partner organizations to collaborate on common policy goals and produces federal, statewide and regional policy agendas; white papers and recommendations; and other resources such as a Green Guide for candidates running for office in New York City.

Nonpartisan Electoral Activities

NYLCVEF’s nonpartisan electoral activities usually take place leading up to an election and seek to educate voters and candidates on the critical connection between elected office and environmental protections and by encouraging environmentalists to vote. Activities include candidate forums, “get out the vote” campaigns, and environmental candidate schools that educate prospective politicians on environmental issues and the importance of adding them to their campaign platform and legislative agenda.

Check back soon for our 2017 Candidate Forums

Green Infrastructure Recommendations for the Capital Region

Last fall, we held a forum on Green Infrastructure in the Capital Region at Albany Law School. Today we’re excited to give you the first look at our just released recommendations that the Capital Region can follow to expand green infrastructure.

Our key recommendations for executive offices at the municipal and county levels include:

  • Implement green infrastructure projects on waterfront edges as natural barriers in flood-prone inland areas to mitigate rain-induced flooding, increase resiliency, and improve public and overall ecosystem health.
  • Explore private property retrofit incentive programs such as the Stormwater Management Incentives Program and Greened Acre Retrofit Program in Philadelphia, the Rainwise Program in Seattle and the Riversmart Homes program in Washington, D.C. as well as Pay-for-Performance and Pay-for-Success contract models such as the Environmental Impact Bond issued by D.C. Water.
  • Reexamine stormwater fee-based programs to encourage property owners to convert a certain percentage of their property to green infrastructure.
  • Green infrastructure is a vital part of healthy communities. It reduces water pollution, mitigates flooding, and improves our urban spaces.

We look forward to working with municipal and regional leaders in the Capital Region and across New York State to implement these recommendations.

Click here to Read our Recommendations for the Capital Region

2017 Federal Policy Agenda

Many of the biggest threats to environmental policy and funding in New York are coming from Washington, posing a significant challenge to local officials. Despite this, we see opportunity. New York’s congressional delegation includes leaders on both sides of the aisle who can play an important role in their respective caucuses in ensuring that New York does not get left behind.

We developed our agenda in close consultation with other leading environmental, public health, conservation, energy, environmental justice, and transportation organizations from around New York. Together, we identified our most pressing priorities on climate change, public health, and natural resources in New York State, and how we can tackle them at the federal level.

Click here to view our 2017 Federal Polcy Agenda

Green Infrastructure in the Capital Region

On February 1st, 2017, the NYLCV Education Fund hosted a forum on the topic of green infrastructure in the Capital Region. The forum featured two panel discussions of policymakers and green infrastructure experts from around the state, including representatives from the Capital District Regional Planning Commission, Cornell University’s New York State Water Resources Institute, Albany Law School, Riverkeeper, The Nature Conservancy, City of Albany, New York State Environmental Facillities Corporation, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

You can watch the forum on our Facebook page here and download our recommendations here.

The first panel discussion reviewed the role that green infrastructure has already played in Capital Region sustainable development, including the successes and challenges of specific projects. Representatives from local agencies discussed the impact of past green infrastructure efforts and explored the ongoing work across the state.

Panel 1 Moderator: Katherine Meierdiercks, Professor of Environmental Studies and Science, Siena College

Panelists:
Martin Daley, Environmental Planner / Project Manager, Capital District Regional Planning Commission
Brian Davis, Professor of Landscape Architecture, Cornell University Water Resources Institute
Joseph Coffey, Jr., P.E., Water Commissioner for the City of Albany
Keith Hirokawa, Associate Professor, Albany Law School

The second panel focused on the future of green infrastructure in the planning efforts and watershed management of the Capital Region. Conversations focused on the roles that local government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses can play in encouraging sustainable development and taking advantage of its benefits. Panelists discussed opportunities for green infrastructure investment and share their visions for the path forward for sustainable development.

Panel 2 Moderator: Ruth Leistensnider, Partner in the Energy and Environment Practice, Nixon Peabody
Panelists:
Maureen Krudner, Environmental Scientist, US EPA Region 2
Brian Hahn, Assistant Manager of the Green Policy, Planning, and Infrastructure Unit, NYS EFC
Dan Shapley, Water Quality Program Director, Riverkeeper
Stuart Gruskin, Chief Conservation and External Affairs Officer, The Nature Conservancy

The NYLCV Education Fund partnered with Dr. Katherine Meierdiercks, Professor of Environmental Studies and Sciences at Siena College, to issue a research paper on policy options for the Capital Region in advance of the forum.

Many Thanks to Roux Associates and Nixon Peabody for sponsoring this forum, and to Albany Law School for co-hosting this event. 

 

NY – 1 Congressional Candidate Forum

Leading up to the general election in November 2016, NYLCVEF hosted candidate forums where residents learned where candidates running for office stood on crucial environmental issues.

View the livestream from our Congressional District 1 Congressional Candidate Forum here.

Incumbent Congressman Lee Zeldin and challenger Anna Throne-Holst presented their ideas for preserving the environment on Long Island and working with congressional leaders to protect clean water, open space and renewable energy. Candidates also responded to questions from panelists, audience members and NYLCVEF President Marcia Bystryn about these topics and a number of other local and national environmental issues.

 

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