Looking across Mirror Lake in Lake Placid on Nov. 16, 2024.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature just passed one of the greenest state budgets ever. It is a clarion call that makes a stark contrast to the Trump administration’s frontal assault on the environment.

This historic investment in New York’s parks, state forests, wildlife areas and greenway trails includes a record $425 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, $1 billion to fight climate change and $290 million for improving public parks and swimming facilities. It also includes millions in new support for several small but mighty programs like Connect Kids, which helps low-income New York students access the many benefits of the great outdoors.

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My organization’s flagship program, Park & Trail Partnership Grants — which fund the grassroots groups that provide inclusive programming, increase accessibility, and take on critical infrastructure projects on public lands – benefits as well.

Any budget is a statement of priorities. This one — which comes as President........

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