NYS Governor Signs Pace University’s
Endangered Species Bill
In September 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill increasing New York State’s powers to protect endangered species from the threat of federal policies that weaken protections. Based on research conducted by student clinicians in Pace University’s Environmental Policy Clinic, the bill was sponsored by Assemblywoman Didi Barrett and Senator Todd Kaminsky. The new law empowers the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation to protect the state’s animals and plants, “regardless of the removal of such designation as an endangered or threatened species by the Secretary of the Interior.”
Tree Planting 2021
Last Earth Day, students from the Environmental Education and Interpretation course hosted a tree planting ceremony. Volunteers planted a new maple tree, donated by Home Depot, in the Pleasantville campus Nature Center in front of the Environmental Lab. At the event, students helped bring awareness to the importance of forest conservation, while celebrating Earth Day.
Race and the Environmental Movement
Equity strategist consultant Sarika Tandon explored some of the roots of the American conservation movement as they relate to white supremacy and patterns of discrimination and marginalization in a virtual lecture on Race and the Environmental Movement. Participants gained insight on key concepts and frames for race equity, including (1) the history of the conservation movement vis-à-vis white supremacy and communities of color, (2) race and environmental concerns, (3) differential impacts by racial group, and (4) organizational demographics in environmental organizations.
