HISTORY

Thirty seven years ago, New York environmentalists launched a plan that led to ground-breaking progress in environmental protection. As one of the nation's first state environmental councils, these environmentalists established a prototype for environmental advocacy that has been replicated in state capitals across the nation.

They founded the Environmental Planning Lobby (EPL)—Environmental Advocates' predecessor—to turn New York State into a national showcase for innovative environmental policy.

Since then, Environmental Advocates of New York has been central to virtually every major environmental accomplishment in New York State.

Environmental Advocates serves the people of New York as an effective and aggressive watchdog and advocates on nearly every important state environmental issue. Through advocacy, coalition building, citizen education and policy development, we work to safeguard public health and preserve our unique natural heritage.

Our successes include: the Bottle Bill; the nation's first acid rain law; the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA); the Wild, Scenic & Recreational River Systems Program; the Environmental Protection Fund; the Hudson River Estuary Management Act; the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act; the Clean Indoor Air Act; the low emission vehicle program; and the 1996 Clean/Water/Clean Air Bond Act.

We have now entered a new era defined by sophisticated and well-financed opposition to environmental protection, sometimes embracing "green" rhetoric. In the face of these pressures, New York is in peril of losing important, hard-won gains. This is a critical time to reinvigorate the state's heritage of environmental leadership.

Environmental Advocates of New York also reaches beyond our borders to advance multi-state and national initiatives that have an impact on New York's environment. We are the New York State affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and confer regularly with colleagues in other states through our membership in the State Environmental Leadership Conference.

MISSION STATEMENT
Environmental Advocates of New York is the state's government watchdog, holding lawmakers and agencies accountable for enacting and enforcing laws that protect our natural resources and safeguard public health. Environmental Advocates works alone and in coalitions and has more than 7,000 individual and 130 organizational members. The tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization is also the New York affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.