Citizen's Toolkit

Our mission is to educate New Yorkers and help them become engaged and empowered advocates for the environment. The resources listed here can help you learn about environmental issues across the state and take advantage of the ways you can protect environment in your personal life and by getting involved in policy and political processes at the local and state levels. From contacting your representatives to the appropriate avenues to report environmental hazards to how to register to vote, these pages can help you protect the interests that are most important to you. As part of the Citizen’s Toolkit, we also provide weekly “Green Tips” so that you can make sustainable lifestyle choices. In the fight against climate change, every little effort can help to reduce carbon emissions and protect our planet from the worst.

Despite the recent cold weather in New York, the coming spring provides an opportunity to get out of stuffy offices and cramped rooms and appreciate the flora and fauna right outside our doors. Not only has regular exposure to green been found to be beneficial for mental health, but taking the time to familiarize yourself…

As Spring approaches, spring cleaning is on everyone’s minds. Unfortunately, many conventional cleaning products contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment and to humans. Most cleaning products come in plastic and non-renewable containers, only creating unnecessary waste. They can also be extremely expensive. 

Valentine’s Day gifts usually include flowers, greeting cards, presents, and nice dinners. This year, we encourage you to celebrate Valentine’s Day more sustainably. Check out the tips below for a greener Valentine’s Day!  

On Wednesday, January 12th, 2022, NYLCVEF and our partner, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, hosted a webinar with special guests Orsted and Eversource to learn more about their ongoing offshore wind projects, South Fork Wind and Sunrise Wind.

As COVID cases are spiking and the weather is getting colder, many are opting for takeout rather than dining in. Plastic containers and excess packaging can make takeout a less eco-friendly option, but there are many ways to still be environmentally conscious.

Go electric in 2022! Owning an electric vehicle (EV) has many advantages over owning a gasoline-powered car including lower maintenance costs, fewer emissions resulting in less pollution, and lower fuel costs. 

There’s a lot of talk about going green. Fortunately, governments, businesses and individuals around the world are taking action to support this initiative. From using alternative energy sources like wind, hydro or solar panels to switching to low-emission transportation options, if your daily actions are more eco-friendly, you will not only help protect the environment, but also benefit financially, physically and mentally.

The holiday season is notorious for producing a great deal of waste and harmful emissions, further contributing to humans’ negative impact on our environment. This holiday season, consider purchasing eco-friendly gifts. These gifts may not only promote sustainable practices to those receiving the gifts but also reduce unnecessary waste. 

Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer some of the best annual sales. However, they are also the heaviest consumerism days of the year, intensifying an already significant problem of electronic, clothing, and plastic waste. A 2019 survey found that up to 61% percent of Americans received an unwanted gift during the holidays, much of which will end up in landfills. Below are some tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint this season while still enjoying the discounts. 

On Mother’s Day, we celebrate and honor mothers everywhere. When getting a gift for mom this year, why not consider honoring Mother Earth too?  Check out our Mother’s Day Green Gift Tips.

Local farms grow fresh and highly nutritious foods compared to foods found in the supermarket. We know choosing food can be overwhelming, so we’ve put together tips for how you can start eating locally.

The theme of this year’s Earth Day is Protect our Species. New York State is home to approximately 150 fish and wildlife species considered to be endangered. To do your part to protect these species and their habitats, check out our tips.

Earth Day is April 22nd but we’re celebrating all month! Help us honor the natural environment by spending time visiting your local park or playground. Here are some green tips on having the best day in the park.

Spring has arrived, and with it, more hours of sunlight. We hope you will take advantage of the changing season while remaining mindful about our environment. Here are some tips to make your spring activities even greener.

Motivated by warmer weather and sunshine, many people take time in spring to do a thorough cleaning of their homes, removing any lingering buildup or dirt from the winter months. Make sure you’re practicing a green spring cleaning routine this year by following our tips.

In the U.S., the average household uses 400 gallons of water a day! Here is a list of helpful tips to conserve water where you live.

March 22, 2019 marks the 25th annual World Water Day. This United Nations observance day celebrates the importance of freshwater worldwide and raises awareness of the global water crisis. Check out our tips for how you can celebrate and protect the water that we all rely on.

Did you know that March 14th is National Learn About Butterflies Day? Monarchs are one of the most commonly recognized butterflies in the US. Test your monarch knowledge by checking out some of our facts.

Get Involved

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS