RESTORE ZBGA FUNDING

The proposed cuts of nearly 50 percent would prove to be devastating to the 80 members of the Coalition of Living Museums (CLM) including WCS's New York Aquarium and Bronx Zoo, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the surrounding communities that rely on them.

"I'm 'tree-mendously' proud that Brooklyn Botanic Garden and New York Aquarium are such integral parts of Brooklyn's 'roots,' drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors and contributing millions of 'clams' to our local economy," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.  "Let's make sure we give our 'seal' of approval to these living museums, so that Brooklyn can continue to 'flower' and enter a new dawning of the 'age of aquariums'--and gardens!"

For more than 30 years, ZBGA has proven its economic benefits to the entire state.  Living museums generate millions of dollars each year for the state in tourism and economic development.  Businesses depend on the money spent by ZBGA funded institutions and they depend on the income generated by tourists patronizing them.  Money spent supporting the 80 living museums across New York State is money spent building and stabilizing the economy through jobs, education, and support for industries that depend on their existence.

"When you cut zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums--important economic drivers in Brooklyn and communities across our state--you are hurting New Yorkers and New York, especially during a time of high unemployment in our state," said Jon Dohlin, Director of WCS's New York Aquarium, Brooklyn's most visited tourist attraction. "All of the 80 ZBGA funded institutions which make up our state's Coalition of Living Museums are in communities where families rely on them for jobs and where merchants rely on them to drive tourism and business."

"We are asking all New Yorkers, families, businesses, community and political leaders to join us as we stand up for jobs in Brooklyn and across New York State," said Dohlin. "We all need to send a message to Albany asking lawmakers to fully restore ZBGA funding. If this nearly 50 percent cut is implemented, this action would be felt across our community and across the state as jobs could be cut.  The proposal is shortsighted at best." 

ZBGA institutions are an integral part of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and are critical to the goals of the EPF.  Living museums educate the next generation of conservation stewards and create an informed electorate about the values of the preservation of clean water, air, and land.  The educational value of all living museums spans not only across the community and the state, it also represents the building blocks of developing the young minds that will lead the next generation of conservation-minded global citizens. 

"With more than 725,000 visitors annually, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is both a family destination and a living museum, offering scientific research and educational programs that benefit all New Yorkers," said Scot Medbury, president of Brooklyn Botanic Garden. "Our living collections help people to understand issues such as endangered species, educate and inspire tens of thousands of teachers and children, and inspire new generations of conservation stewards. As a primary provider of ecological literacy in Brooklyn, we are committed to ensuring that our award-winning programming and interactive educational experiences are accessible to a diverse public."

Medbury continued, "On behalf of Brooklyn's living museums, we are grateful to our Brooklyn assembly members and state senators for demonstrating their commitment to ZBGA member institutions in the borough, including Assembly Members Hakeem Jeffries, Joseph Lentol and Alec Brook-Krasny; and State Senators Eric Adams, Velmanette Montgomery, Carl Kruger, and John Sampson."

"On behalf of the 80 CLM institutions that will be drastically affected by this proposed cut, I applaud those in the state legislature who have worked to preserve the beauty, safety and accessibility of the our sites for the more than 12 million visitors who have used them as a refuge or a living classroom," says Lois Carswell, Chairwoman of the Coalition of Living Museums.  "In particular, we would like to thank Assembly Member Robert K. Sweeney, Chair, Committee on Environmental Conservation; Senator Jose Serrano, Chair, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation; Senator Antoine Thompson, Chair, Environmental Conservation; and Assembly Member Steven Englebright, Chair, Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts, and Sports Development."

During the last seven years, more than $500 million of dedicated environmental funding has been transferred from the EPF and spent on other non-environmental programs.

Today, New York State is struggling to honor its existing obligations based on the nearly half billion dollars that has been transferred from the EPF for general budget relief. Without properly addressing repayment of previously diverted EPF funds, the State runs the risk of exhausting future appropriations on previous commitments, risking progress on new projects.

The people of New York are being asked to urge the Governor and Albany for full restoration--$222 million for EPF and $9 million for New York State's 80 ZBGA institutions. The governor has proposed $5 million for ZBGA--a $4 million decrease.

As Albany lawmakers and the Governor negotiate the state budget proposal, the Coalition asks New Yorkers to go to www.wcs.org  to sign a petition telling Albany to fully restore ZBGA.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide.  We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo.  Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony.  WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.        

Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium opens every day of the year at 10am, and closing times vary seasonally. Admission is $13.00 for adults, $9.00 for children ages 3-12 and $10.00 for senior citizens (65 and older); children under 3 years of age are admitted free. Fridays after 3pm, admission is by suggested donation. The Aquarium is located on Surf Avenue at West 8th Street in Coney Island. For directions, information on public events and programs, and other Aquarium information, call 718-265-FISH or visit our web site at www.nyaquarium.com . Now is the perfect time to visit and show support for the New York Aquarium, Brooklyn's most heavily attended attraction and a beloved part of the City of New York.

Founded in 1910, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an independent nonprofit institution committed to education, research, and the display of horticulture. BBG serves communities in New York City and internationally through its world-class gardens, extensive research collections, and numerous educational and community programs. Situated on 52 acres in the heart of Brooklyn, the Garden is home to over 12,000 kinds of plants and hosts more than 725,000 visitors annually.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Garden is closed on Mondays. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for senior citizens (65 and older) and students with ID. Children under 12, all school groups, and Garden members are admitted free at all times. Seniors are admitted free all day Friday, and the Garden is free to the public all day on Tuesdays and until noon on Saturdays (except Saturdays of major Public Programs). For directions, please visit www.bbg.org/vis2/directions.html .

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