pesticide

With their wild look, native gardens bloom despite cultural and social hurdles

With their wild look, native gardens bloom despite cultural and social hurdles

Xilin Zhang was tired of the pressures of maintaining the “perfect lawn,” she said.

So Zhang, a homeowner in the village of New Hyde Park, yanked out her grass and turned her front lawn into a native plant garden: She planted milkweed, false sunflower, New York Ironweed and other plants native to the area. She began the work in 2021 and, over the past few years, her yard started to look like a “little national park,” she said, and was better for the environment, too.

7 LI environmental groups to share $659G in grants to support pollinator conservation efforts from Roundup weedkiller settlement

7 LI environmental groups to share $659G in grants to support pollinator conservation efforts from Roundup weedkiller settlement

Seven Long Island environmental organizations are receiving a combined $659,000 in grants to support pollinator conservation efforts, grow thousands of native plants and create new community gardens, according to the state Office of the Attorney General.

Lawmakers debate bill that could forever alter lawn care: 'This policy safeguards the health of … our children and grandchildren'

Lawmakers debate bill that could forever alter lawn care: 'This policy safeguards the health of … our children and grandchildren'

Maryland has introduced a bill requiring its Department of Agriculture to ban certain pesticides, including PFAS, or "forever chemicals," according to CBS News. This bill may cause some worry about the impact on lawn treatments, but are fewer chemicals in our environment necessarily a bad thing?

Proposed bill could ban certain pesticides with PFAS chemicals in Maryland

Proposed bill could ban certain pesticides with PFAS chemicals in Maryland

A proposed bill in Maryland could require the Department of Agriculture to ban certain pesticides and PFAS, or forever chemicals, from being used in the state. 

Under House Bill 386, the Department of Agriculture would have to develop a list of certain pesticides that have forever chemicals as active ingredients. Those listed chemicals would not be allowed to be used or sold in the state. 

2024 Long Island Business Influencers

2024 Long Island Business Influencers

Adrienne Esposito
Executive Director
Citizens Campaign for the Environment

As executive director and a co-founder of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Adrienne Esposito has worked on numerous environmental campaigns for more than 35 years.  

APA should pause ProcellaCOR permits to assess herbicide’s safety

APA should pause ProcellaCOR permits to assess herbicide’s safety

Re: Moratorium on ProcellaCOR Permitting Pending PFAS and Human Health and Ecological Impact Concerns  

Dear Adirondack Park Agency Executive Director Barbara Rice, 

The undersigned are writing to express our deep concern regarding the recently disclosed Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) within  pesticides, including florpyrauxifen-benzyl which is the active chemical ingredient in ProcellaCOR EC and  SE. As the Adirondack Park Agency is aware, ProcellaCOR EC is the less concentrated form of  ProcellaCOR SE, both of which are manufactured by the SePRO Corporation, the former of which has  been recently approved for use in several lakes in the Adirondacks. 

Governor signs change to law authorizing Suffolk sales tax hike, teeing up November vote

Governor signs change to law authorizing Suffolk sales tax hike, teeing up November vote

An amendment to the law that allows Suffolk County to increase its sales tax rate by 1/8 of a cent to finance the installation of sewer and advanced septic systems was signed into law today by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The governor’s signature on the amendment, negotiated by state and county lawmakers, sets the stage for the county to put a referendum on ballot in this year’s general election seeking voter approval of the sales tax increase.

Legislators, Advocates Urge Swift Action on Bills to Protect NYers from PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

Legislators, Advocates Urge Swift Action on Bills to Protect NYers from PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

ALBANY, NY  — Today legislators and the PFAS-Free New York coalition gathered in Albany to call for urgent action to pass package of bills for the 2024 legislative session that would curb PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in New York State. The bills call for eliminating PFAS in key consumer and household products (A3556A/S5648-A), in personal care and cosmetic products (A6969/S4265), and in menstrual products (A5990/S3529); as well as a bill to track the levels of PFAS in effluent released into waterways (A3296A/S227-B).

NEW YORK: First to Protect Birds, Bees From Neonic Pesticides

NEW YORK: First to Protect Birds, Bees From Neonic Pesticides

ALBANY, New York, January 30, 2024 (ENS) – New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law first-in-the-nation legislation to protect birds and bees from toxic neonicotinoid pesticides used on outdoor ornamental plants and turfs, and the seeds of corn, soybeans and wheat. This law is the first in the United States to limit neonicotinoid coating on seeds.

Hochul signs ‘Birds and Bees’ Act

Hochul signs ‘Birds and Bees’ Act

To help safeguard pollinators, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed the “Birds and Bees Protection Act.”

Signed into law last week, the legislation prohibits the use of specific neonicotinoid pesticide-treated corn, soybean and wheat seeds and neonicotinoid pesticides for outdoor ornamental plants and turfs. The ban goes into effect in 2027, according to published reports.

Hochul signs ban on controversial pesticide

Hochul signs ban on controversial pesticide

Substance is considered dangerous to bees

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed a partial ban on neonicotinoids, a powerful and widely-used pesticide that environmentalists say is the most harmful chemical since DDT,  but which farmers have long relied upon to control pests.

Governor Hochul Signs First-in-the-Nation Bill to Limit Neonic Pesticides

Governor Hochul Signs First-in-the-Nation Bill to Limit Neonic Pesticides

Advocates, Health Professionals, and Farmers Celebrate

ALBANY, NY — A coalition of farmers, health professionals, and environmental groups are celebrating today after Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Birds and Bees Protection Act (S1856-A/A7640). The bill will limit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics), and, when fully implemented, would eliminate up to 80-90% of the neonics entering New York’s environment annually by prohibiting only unneeded neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds and non-agricultural lawn and garden uses.

Doctors, Farmers, and Advocates Call on Governor Hochul to Sign Neonic-Limiting Bill

Doctors, Farmers, and Advocates Call on Governor Hochul to Sign Neonic-Limiting Bill

10 Days Left for Governor to Protect New Yorkers’ Public Health, Environment

ALBANY, NY — With 10 days left to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act (S1856-A / A7640), New Yorkers have called for action from Governor Kathy Hochul. Today, doctors, farmers, and advocates expressed concern that if Governor Hochul doesn’t sign the bill, an immense opportunity would be missed to protect people and the environment from neonic pesticide exposure. The Birds and Bees Protection Act would eliminate 80-90% of neonics from entering New York’s environment annually by prohibiting the use of neonic-coated corn and soybean seeds, as well as limiting unnecessary neonic lawn and garden uses.

Environmental advocacy groups urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to pass the New York State Birds and Bees Protection Act

Environmental advocacy groups urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to pass the New York State Birds and Bees Protection Act

The Birds and Bees Protection Act — the first bill in the United States that aims to prohibit the agricultural use of neonicotinoid pesticides, which decimate pollinator populations — has been awaiting signage by Gov. Kathy Hochul since its approval by the New York State Legislature in June. But after months of limbo and mere weeks remaining until the end of the year, environmental advocacy groups are pushing harder than ever to get the bill signed into law — keeping New York state at the forefront of national environmental legislation.

“We have worked on this bill for five years,” Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE), said.

Long Island environmentalists renew calls for the Birds and Bees Protection Act

Long Island environmentalists renew calls for the Birds and Bees Protection Act

Long Island environmentalists want residents to know some Thanksgiving favorites are made possible by bees!

A group gathered outside New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's office on Wednesday, calling for a law to cut down on the use of neonicotinoids — toxic pesticides that are harmful to pollinators.

Environmental groups putting pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign Birds and Bees Protection Act

Environmental groups putting pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign Birds and Bees Protection Act

LONG ISLAND -- Corn, wheat, and soybean seeds, pre-treated with pesticides, may be a thing of the past in New York state.

Environmental groups told CBS New York on Tuesday they are putting pressure on the governor to sign legislation targeting the protection of birds and bees.

WHAT HAPPENS TO PUBLIC LETTERS SENT TO THE GOVERNOR TO PROTECT BEES?

RETURN TO SENDER 

Public comments addressed to the Governor, sent c/o NYS Ag and Markets, in support of the Birds and Bees Protection Act, were opened and sent back to grassroots advocacy group

Farmingdale, NY—Today, Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) received an opened and resealed package of public comments supporting the Birds and Bees Protection Act, sent to Governor Hochul via NYS Ag and Markets, with “return to sender” written on it. CCE, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots organization has been working to ensure the Governor hears from the public on critical environmental issues. Over a thousand postcards from the public have been sent to the Governor in support of this critical bill in recent weeks. With just a few weeks left for the Governor to sign this nation-leading environmental legislation, it’s critically important that the Governor hear from the public and that her staff values public input.  However, the return of over 80 postcards indicates that the voice of the public is being dismissed and ignored. 

Over the last several months, CCE has sent several packages containing signed postcards from members of the public to the Governor, via NYS Ag and Markets, requesting she sign the bill. They are being sent to Kevin King, Deputy Commissioner at NYS Ag and Markets.  State agencies, including NYS Ag and Markets, provide important input to the Governor on bills being considered to be signed into law.  This is the first-time public comments have been returned.

In response Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment said:

 “In over 30 years of advocating on behalf of the public and sending New York Governors public correspondence, this has never happened. It’s highly disturbing and sends a message that public comments are not valued. CCE has collected and mailed approximately a thousand postcards from the public to the Governor, sent via NYS Ag and Markets, in support of the Birds and Bees Protection Act. To have them opened and sent back is insulting and demeaning to the public. Although his name is Kevin King, he should be reminded that there are no kings in our democracy, only public servants. We have been talking to the public about this bill and we hear how much they care about saving bees and protecting our pollinators. CCE works to ensure the public voice is being heard, and we need the Governor to listen and have access to her mail.”

The Birds and Bees Protection Act is science-based legislation that strategically eliminates unnecessary uses of neonics. Corn, soy, and wheat treated seeds account for an estimated 73% of all neonics used in New York.  Lawn, garden, ornamental, and turf (aka cosmetic) uses make up an additional 15%. A 2020 report by Cornell University found that neonic treated corn, soy, and wheat seeds provide "no overall net income benefits" or yield benefits to farmers yet pose significant risk to bees and other pollinators. Likewise, cosmetic uses pose a high risk to pollinators but are easily replaced with safer alternatives. The Birds and Bees Protection Act will eliminate at least 85% - 90% of all neonics used in New York, protect water quality, food security, and ensure we are not poisoning our birds, bees, and pollinators with this toxic pesticide.

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