Get Involved: Wave Hill Crisis

One of the Garden Design community’s most beloved public gardens, Wave Hill, is at risk for losing significant government funding. Let Governor Paterson know how important institutions like Wave Hill are to you and urge him not to cut this critical funding.

A proposed 55% cut to the state's Zoos, Botanical Gardens, and Aquariums (ZBGA) program would seriously compromise New York's zoological and botanical resources. From the Bronx to Niagara Falls, living museums will suffer tremendously—and the immediate impact on local economies will be severe.

Please take a moment of your time and send this important email urging Governor Paterson to maintain this critical source of funding for New York State's living museums.

Click on this link and supply your name and address, and copy the text below. http://wavehill.c.topica.com/maamHVWabM9p5bL8ftAcafpN3l/

Subject: Please Maintain Funding for New York's Living Museums!

Topic (select from drop-down menu): The Economic Crisis

E-mail body: As someone who cares about the environment, conservation, education and economic development, and who realizes the value of tourism to our state, I urge you to continue investments in New York's "living museums." Governor Paterson’s Executive Budget released on December 16, 2008, proposes to cut the Zoos, Botanical Gardens, and Aquariums (ZBGA) program from $9 million to $4 million–a 55% cut–in this fiscal year. It also proposes to completely eliminate the program in the next fiscal year! If this proposal is passed by the NYS Legislature, it will destroy a program that has provided consistent and steadily increasing support for Wave Hill and its fellow living museums for over 30 years. From Niagara Falls to the Bronx, Oyster Bay to Syracuse, living museums will suffer, and the immediate impact on local economies will be severe. Living museums not only help conserve endangered species and address the impact of climate change, they also generate millions of dollars each year for state and local economies by providing jobs and supporting local businesses. In addition, they educate and inspire thousands of teachers and millions of children, and develop new generations of environmental stewards. Even during this fiscal downturn, millions of citizens are visiting environmental sanctuaries–and these numbers are growing as people are staying closer to home. Increased visitation means increased expenses as demand for these services rises. The state faces some challenging fiscal realities but it is imperative that we protect and preserve New York's natural environment. At the same time, it is critical to protect our tourism dollars and our economy. Please continue your investment in living museums and support full funding of the ZBGA program!

Wave Hill
West 249th Street and Independence Ave., Bronx, NY 10471-2899 718.549.3200
wavehill.org