Citizen's Toolkit

Our mission is to educate New Yorkers and help them become engaged and empowered advocates for the environment. The resources listed here can help you learn about environmental issues across the state and take advantage of the ways you can protect environment in your personal life and by getting involved in policy and political processes at the local and state levels. From contacting your representatives to the appropriate avenues to report environmental hazards to how to register to vote, these pages can help you protect the interests that are most important to you. As part of the Citizen’s Toolkit, we also provide weekly “Green Tips” so that you can make sustainable lifestyle choices. In the fight against climate change, every little effort can help to reduce carbon emissions and protect our planet from the worst.

Global warming has been a principal concern of the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund since its foundation. It is an unfortunate reality that the warming of the earth’s atmosphere has not only continued but accelerated over the past decade, resulting in the NOAA reporting that January 2025 was the hottest January globally reported.

With the IBX on the move thanks to congestion pricing, NYLCVEF is pleased to present a primer on this major public transportation project that’ll connect Queens and Brooklyn. The daily ridership is expected to reach 115,000, or 40 million annually. The rail corridor is home to approximately 900,000 residents and 260,000 workers within a half mile of the proposed line.

The holiday season is in full swing! There is usually a lot of planning that goes into holiday gatherings, including parties, religious ceremonies, or small get-togethers. Follow our tips for hosting a more environmentally-friendly yet fun holiday gathering this year.

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Since 1992, the Open Space Conservation Plan has served as the blueprint to guide land purchases and conservation efforts by the state. This review comes at a crucial time with the climate crisis becoming increasingly urgent and the state vowing to protect 30 percent of its land and water by 2030.

Autumn brings upkeeping tasks for outdoor spaces. With falling leaves and dropping temperatures, we want to make sure that you’re equipped with sustainable yard care tips.

New York City’s curbside composting program is coming to all five boroughs before the end of 2024, and the next stop is Brooklyn, with collections beginning on Monday, October 2.  Under the leadership of Mayor Adams, curbside composting began as a pilot program in Queens, and in just three months it prevented a staggering 12.7…

Thinking of buying an EV but don’t know where to start? We’ve put together a list of incentives that are available at the federal and state level. We have also created fact sheets on the state of EVs in NY, the EV marketplace, range anxiety & charging, and the economics of purchasing & owning an EV.

On September 14, the New York League of Conservation Voters hosted an environmental candidate forum in Troy, NY, featuring Mayoral candidates Nina Nichols (D) and Carmella Mantello (R). Spectrum News reporter Kate Lisa moderated the program, which was held at the Arts Center of the Capital Region and co-sponsored by Clean + Healthy New York…

With fall almost here, it’s a great time to fight climate change at home with energy efficient changes and upgrades. Even small adjustments made by renters, homeowners and businesses, when added up town by town and city by city, can make a significant difference in reducing our collective carbon footprint. 

There is no safe level of lead exposure and even small amounts can harm a child’s growth, behavior, and ability to learn. All New York public schools are required to test for, report to the school community about, and fix issues concerning lead in drinking water. With kids starting another school year, here’s some information that you might find helpful

This year, amidst all the traditional fun, you will also have the chance to explore the future of clean energy at the “Clean Energy Corner,” proudly presented by the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and its partner organizations. We’ll be there through September 4.

Break out the streamers, it’s time to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the biggest, boldest action our  nation has ever taken on climate! To mark the occasion, the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF) will hold an event at the Albany Public Library with Congressman Paul Tonko on August 16.

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