In a significant step toward advancing environmental conservation, New York Attorney General Letitia James has teamed up with The New York Community Trust to distribute $3.2 million in grants to aid pollinator conservation across the state. As reported by the Office of the Attorney General, these grants stem from a 2023 settlement with Bayer CropScience and Monsanto over claims that their Roundup® weedkillers misled the public regarding safety and might be harmful to important pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. This financial injection, complemented by an additional $573,000 pledged by The Trust, is designed to catalyze a variety of initiatives, focusing on the creation and preservation of habitats, awareness of pollinator roles, and community-led projects.
"Pollinators are the unsung heroes of our environment, yet their very existence has been threatened by the harmful impacts of pesticides, habitat destruction, and climate change," Attorney General James said in statement. Furthermore, Arturo Garcia-Costas of The Trust emphasized the undervalued but essential role pollinators play in our biodiversity and food production systems, as per Office of the Attorney General.
A staggering 34 community environmental organizations are set to receive these funds, with grants varying from $9,000 up to $500,000 to back projects tailored around the needs of different groups, from small nonprofits such as the Greater Irvington Land Conservancy Foundation to government entities. Organizations such as The Bee Conservancy, The Black Institute, and the Shinnecock Indian Nation are among the awardees, with projects ranging from data collection on pollinators in underserved areas to creating community gardens and sustainable land models for public parks.
According to a report by the Empire State Native Pollinator Survey, the decline in pollinator populations could threaten crop growth and wildflowers throughout New York. The awarded grants are expected to address these issues through educational programs, the establishment of native bee houses, and the planting of acres of pollinator gardens to broaden natural habitats. For instance, Friends of the Chemung River Watershed plan to plant pollinator gardens and host educational programs, while Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper will expand pollinator habitats along the Niagara River.
The Office of the Attorney General assures that the matter is managed by Peter C. Washburn of the Environmental Protection Bureau, under the leadership of Bureau Chief Lemuel M. Srolovic, and is a part of the Division for Social Justice, overseen by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
