Speak out for Parks and Trails!

NOTE: TIME SHOWN IS ONLY A PLACE HOLDER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.ptny.org/advocacy/advocacydays2010.shtml

Join 'Parks & Trails, NY' in Albany on March 10, 2010 - Trails Advocacy Day

Parks and trails are taking a big hit in this year's state budget. Dozens of State Park closings are imminent. Funds for park and trail grants have been cut almost in half.

Join with a team of park and trail advocates from around the state for a day of meetings with key legislators. It's a great opportunity to join with other supporters and let our lawmakers know how their budget decisions will affect the state parks and trails you care about. Your support is critically important to ensure that our parks and trails receive the funding they must have to survive.

Register for Save our Trails Advocacy Days today!
To do so, go into the Website above.

There is no cost to participate, but advance registration is required as we need to schedule and plan our visits with lawmakers. It is quick and easy.

The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) - the state's dedicated fund for municipal parks, trails, land acquisition, historic preservation, farmland protection, and other efforts that benefit the environment - is being slashed by $70 million when, by law, it should be increasing. There is no money appropriated for any land acquisition and funds for municipal parks grants and waterfront revitalization grants, which fund many local park and trail projects, have been cut almost in half.
Construction of the remaining 100 miles of Erie Canalway Trail from Buffalo to Albany has come to a halt even though five projects representing 34 new miles of trail are approved and ready to go. Because of declining revenues, inflation and the economic downturn, the New York State Thruway Authority has deferred efforts to “Close the Gaps."
Read the Talking Points

Sign up today

What else can I do to help?

Contact your local Assemblyperson and Senator. Give them a call or better yet visit their local office. Let them know you if are part of the New York State Trails Coalition and that you want to see support for parks and trails in the state budget. Use our Advocacy Agenda as a basis.
Sign on to the Trails Coalition letter. As a member of the New York State Trails Coalition, we will include your organization’s name on the attached letter unless you let us know otherwise by March 8. If you are not yet a Trails Coalition member, join today.
Send a letter to the editor of your local paper describing the proposed cuts to state parks operations and the EPF and the impact it will have on the parks and trails in your community. If possible, mention projects that have received EPF funding in the past.
Encourage other groups and local governments to join the New York State Trails Coalition.
Questions? Read our FAQ.For Lobbying Tips and Suggestions click here.

For More info contact:
Trails Advocacy Day-Wednesday, March 10
Fran Gotcsik
Director of Programs and Policy
fgotcsik@ptny.org
(518) 434-1583 ext. #206