Assembly Resolution No. 997

BY: M. of A. Lemondes

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 21, 2024, as Forest Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to promote and appreciate New York
State's natural resources which benefit the lives of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 21, 2024, as Forest
Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
International Day of Forests; and

WHEREAS, The 2024 theme, "Forests and Innovation," aims to highlight
how we can promote innovation to help the world's forests, and how
innovations in science and technology are supporting sustainable forest
management; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed
March 21st as the International Day of Forests (IDF) to celebrate and
raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests; each year on
this day, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and
international efforts to organize activities involving forests and
trees, such as tree planting campaigns; and

WHEREAS, Since 1906, Empire State Forest Products Association
(ESFPA) has been the forest products industry's source for information
and public affairs in New York State; this vital non-profit organization
for businesses and individuals is dedicated to improving the business
climate for the forest products industry while promoting management of
New York's Forests to meet the resource needs of today and for future
generations; and

WHEREAS, Forests purify the air we breathe, filter the water we
drink, prevent erosion, and act as an important buffer against climate
change; they also offer a home to much of the world's diverse array of
plants and animals and provide essential natural resources from timber
and food to medicinal plants; and

WHEREAS, Known as the lungs of the Earth, forests are like giant,
green sponges all over the globe, through which our Earth breathes;
trees and plants take in carbon dioxide and give us oxygen, cleaning our
air; and

WHEREAS, Forests also give us wood for construction, paper,
furniture, energy and so much more; currently, wood accounts for
approximately 45% of the world's renewable energy supply; and

WHEREAS, Healthy forests mean a healthy environment; forests
stabilize the climate, control atmospheric temperatures, protect
watershed areas, regulate the water cycle, and enrich the soil; and

WHEREAS, Forests also play an important role in preventing soil
erosion, as well as stabilizing and maintaining its quality, and provide
a home to millions of species, sheltering and providing food for their
sustenance; and

WHEREAS, In addition, forests are natural aqueducts, absorbing and
redistributing an estimated 95% of water; and

WHEREAS, Forests, their sustainable management and use of resources,
including in fragile ecosystems, are key to combating climate change,
and to contributing to the prosperity and well-being of current and
future generations; forests are truly one of our greatest natural
treasures that must be preserved and protected; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges this exceptional natural resource and its contributions to
the local and State economies; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 21, 2024, as Forest
Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; and the Empire State Forest Products Association.