Governor Hochul Allocates $3.5 Million for Environmental Justice Initiatives, Including Groundwork Hudson Valley
Yonkers, New York, November 21, 2023 — Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a significant investment of $3.5 million in state funding to support environmental justice initiatives led by more than 20 community-based organizations across New York. The funding includes $2.1 million in Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants awarded to 22 organizations, focusing on projects addressing environmental and public health concerns. Additionally, $1.4 million will support four community-based organizations implementing localized air quality monitoring initiatives. These initiatives align with the goals of the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, aiming to reduce emissions and promote environmental equity.
Governor Hochul emphasized the state’s commitment to addressing the disproportionate burden of air pollution and climate impacts on disadvantaged communities, stating, “With $3.5 million in new funding, community organizations can help address local concerns and develop solutions in partnership with the state to improve quality of life, enhance air quality and the environment, and help to ensure a cleaner, greener future.”
Among the recipients, Groundwork Hudson Valley has been awarded $100,000 for the “Reviving Urban Forests in Southwest Yonkers in an Era of Climate Change” project. The initiative aims to assess the health of street trees and urban forests in Southwest Yonkers, leading to demonstration projects that reduce climate risks and further public health and community renewal goals. Groundwork has also secured an additional $275,365 for an air quality monitoring grant for the “Tracking & Advocating for Air Quality Improvements in Southwest Yonkers” project. This initiative, in collaboration with partners, will deploy air quality monitors to track pollution, identify sources, educate the community, and advocate for mitigation measures.
In response to the announcement, Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Executive Director, Oded Holzinger, stated, “With these two grants we will be engaging the residents in efforts to assess and improve the health of urban forests and to monitor hyper-local air quality. By providing state-of-the-art tools to those most impacted by climate risk, we are empowering our community to play an active role in improving the climate resilience of their neighborhoods.”
This funding is part of the state’s broader commitment to environmental justice. The grants support initiatives that contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future for communities throughout the state.
For more information on the grant, visit: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-35-million-environmental-justice-initiatives
For media inquiries, please contact Candida Rodriguez, Director of Community Relations at candida@groundwork.org.