New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
(212) 361-6350 Ext. 206
Contact: Shachar Sharon
For Immediate Release
August 16, 2019
NYLCVEF and Watershed Groups Host Meet & Greet with Senator Metzger
Roscoe, N.Y. – The New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF), along with Delaware River Watershed partners, this Tuesday held a Meet & Greet with State Senator Jen Metzger at the Roscoe Beer Company.
Area community members heard from Senator Metzger about water and land conservation issues and ongoing efforts to protect the Upper Delaware River Watershed. She answered questions from partners and attendees about the value of clean water for local businesses, the need for more state resources to the Upper Delaware River south of the NYC drinking water reservoirs, opportunities to make our agricultural sector climate-smart, and the importance of protecting the region’s forests and open spaces.
The Delaware River Watershed provides unfiltered drinking water to millions of New York City residents, and more than 1 million New Yorkers in Westchester, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster counties. The watershed is responsible for 600,000 jobs and $22 billion in annual economic activity, including a vibrant tourism industry, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a well-known wild trout fishery.
Event co-hosts and partners included Catskill Mountainkeeper, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Friends of the Upper Delaware River and Orange County Land Trust.
NYLCVEF President Julie Tighe said, “At NYLCVEF, we encourage New Yorkers to become advocates for the environment by arming them with information on key issues so that they can hold elected officials accountable. Many community members do not have the opportunity to hear directly from their legislators about their commitments to the environment. We were happy to provide attendees the chance to meet Senator Metzger and hear from her about these important issues. Thank you to Senator Metzger, our partners, and everyone who attended.”
“As a lifelong environmentalist, I was thrilled to have the chance to meet with the New York League of Conservation Voters, Delaware River Watershed Coalition partners, local leaders and concerned citizens to discuss how we can better protect our water resources and work together to meet the challenges of climate change. I want to thank NYLCV and partner organizations for organizing this great event, and I look forward to continuing these conversations with you as we prepare for next year’s legislative session,” said Senator Jen Metzger.
“Tuesday’s meet and greet was an important opportunity for residents of the Upper Delaware River region to communicate directly from a member of the state legislature that represents them in Albany. Policies put forth by state elected officials regarding improved water quality and infrastructure not only have a local impact, but also have far-reaching consequences for the Delaware River communities downstream,” said Sandra Meola, Director of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed.
The New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund educates New Yorkers on environmental issues and encourages them to get involved in the environmental decision-making processes at the local, regional, state and federal levels. NYLCVEF fosters open, nonpartisan discussion on environmental policy and empowers New Yorkers to be effective advocates on behalf of the environment. Visit www.nylcvef.org for more information.
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