On Thursday, February 5, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined Scot Medbury, president of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden; Jon Dohlin, director of the New York Aquarium; and Aisha Glover, director of public affairs for the Center for the Urban Environment, to denounce the proposed elimination of funding for zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens.

The New York State Legislature has rejected Governor Paterson’s proposal to cut the Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquariums (ZBGA) budget line by 55 percent for FY09. While the decision to protect the funding this year was vital, the press conference at the Botanic Garden was designed to keep pressure on Albany to recognize the importance of the state’s Environmental Protection Fund to all New Yorkers, and to reject the governor’s plan to zero out the ZBGA budget line in FY10.

“Let’s face it, city kids and residents are in greater need of institutions that help them connect with nature,” said BP Markowitz. “Just look at the numbers: nearly two million visitors enjoy the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York Aquarium and Prospect Park Zoo each year. Budget cuts could slash staff and educational programs, jeopardize the proper care of their living ‘exhibits,’ and, by the way, have a significant impact on Brooklyn’s tourism industry at a time when we need every tourism dollar. Eliminating funding is no way to treat the zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens and organizations such as the Center for the Urban Environment. I urge the Governor and the Legislature: please do feed the animals, and let our gardens grow!”