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The Latest News from the Peconic Land Trust
January 14, 2016
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In this issue:
- Thank you!
- Legislative Update: Environmental Protection Fund
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Thank you for your Support:
Conserving Long Island's Working Farms and Natural Lands
Is Only Possible With You
You did it! With you, your friends and neighbors, we met our 2015 Annual Fund goal of $1.8 million. Together we will continue to conserve our precious resources, working farms, and heritage. You are integral to our success!
In 2015, together we:
- Refined and expanded the use of enhanced restrictions on farmland, ensuring that it is accessible and affordable to established and new farmers alike.
- Increased the acreage that we have protcted with our many partners to nearly 12,000 acres -- forever impacting future generations of Long Islanders.
- Leased hundreds of acres of farmland to over a dozen farmers, growing a diversity of agricultural products including fresh, local food.
- Operated one of the most renowned Community Supported Agriculture farms in the country, Quail Hill Farm -- a model for CSAs that now flourish across the East End and the county.
- Supported community gardens on both Forks: at the Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm in Southold, and Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton, to share the opportunity for members of our community to grow fresh vegetables!
- Maintained hundreds of acres of wildlife preserves that support bio-diversity and provide natural environments for exploration and relaxation.
- Operated Bridge Gardens, not only a model for ecological practices -- but also as a beautiful, sustainable public garden for all to enjoy.
- Provided over 45 educational and recreational programs across the East End that connect the young to the young at heart to the farms, wetlands, woodlands, shorelines and forests of our communities.
- Worked with government at all levels, and partner organizations, to support tax policies that promote conservation.
In 2016 and beyond, we look forward to working with you to
conserve more of the land, resources and heritage that we hold dear.
From all of us to all of you:
Thank you!
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Legislative News:
New York State's Environmental Protection Fund:
Let Our Representatives in Albany Know that it Matters to You!
 At the end of November, the Peconic Land Trust signed on to a letter from Friends of New York's Environment requesting that Governor Cuomo include an appropriation of $300 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) in his proposed Fiscal Year 2016/17 Executive Budget. This would restore the EPF fully to a sustainable level of $300 million annually, which will allow us to meet current demand and implement critical programs across New York State.
We are happy to report . . . on January 5, Governor Cuomo
announced that he would be proposing a $300 million line
in the Executive Budget! A proposal he reiterated yesterday
during his State of the State address.
Please join us in thanking the Governor, and contact your state representatives to ask them to support a $300 million EPF for FY 2016/17. Click here for details on the Governor's proposal.
During the recession, the EPF took dramatic cuts -- and over the past few years, through the efforts of many, the EPF has begun to rebound. In this current fiscal year 2015/16, the EPF was at $177 million, a $15 million increase over the previous year.
 The EPF, established in 1983, is New York's dedicated source of funding for critical environmental programs that protect our drinking water, parks, and family farms. Not only does funding from the EPF protect these natural resources -- it generates economic activity and revenue and creates jobs in many sectors throughout the state.
Peconic Land Trust will be joining our colleagues from the Friends of New York's Environment on February 24 to ask our representatives in Albany for their support of a $300 million EPF. Like to join us in Albany? Contact Julie Zaykowski at 631.283.3195.
And don't forget, let the Gorvernor and your local representative know you know support a fully funded EPF in 2016!
In case you missed it, more great news for conservation . . .
At the end of 2015, two important legislative actions were announced:
- The Conservation Easement Tax Incentive was finally -- after 10 years -- made permanent by Congress! This incentive is particularly important on Long Island for farmland conservation efforts. Learn more . . .
- Governor Cuomo signed enabling legislation that would allow the five East End towns to move forward with a referendum to extend the current Community Preservation Fund program for an additional 20 years, from 2030 to 2050. Learn more . . .
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Peconic Land Trust conserves Long Island's working farms, natural lands and heritage for our communities now and in the future.
Financial Disclosure Statement: A copy of the last financial report filed with the New York State Attorney General may be obtained in writing to: New York State Attorney General's Charities Bureau, Attn.: FOIL Officer, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271 or Peconic Land Trust, PO Box 1776, Southampton, NY 11969. Please help us further reduce our carbon footprint. If you change your address, or would like to receive all (or some) of your communications from the Peconic Land Trust by email, let us know! Contact Janet Schutt, Systems Manager, at 631.283.3195 ext. 24 or email her at JSchutt@PeconicLandTrust.org.
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