New York State Department of Health Celebrates Earth Day

Department Leaders Plant Trees at Future Site of Wadsworth Lab and at UAlbany's Uptown Campus and Read to Elementary Students about Earth Day

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 22, 2024) –Today, the New York State Department of Health celebrated Earth Day by planting trees and reading to students. The Department continues to remind people of the importance of caring for the Earth as it directly impacts the health and wellbeing of our communities. The Department remains committed to protecting public health in the face of climate change.

"At the New York State Department of Health, Earth Day serves as a reminder to all that we must care for the planet we call home in order to safeguard public health," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Whether we're monitoring for those affected by extreme heat, ensuring the most vulnerable are protected during times when air quality is low, planting trees to provide shade during hot weather, or educating our youth about how they can help care for the Earth, the Department is actively committed to ensuring that the health of all New Yorkers is protected, especially as our climate presents new challenges."

Dr. McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne visited local elementary schools where they read a book to students about the importance of recycling, saving energy, and not littering. Stops included the Van Schaick Grade School in the Cohoes City School District where Dr. McDonald's own mother attended as a child and Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology in the City School District of Albany.

"The Department of Health is committed to protecting public health especially as climate change presents new challenges," Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne said. "From rising temperatures to strengthening storms, the Department recognizes that while we are all at risk, some groups are especially vulnerable. Today on Earth Day, we reaffirm our commitment to our future and to achieving health equity for all New Yorkers."

Dr. McDonald visited the W. Averill Harriman Campus in Albany, the future site of the Department's Wadsworth Life Sciences Public Health Laboratory, to plant an American linden tree. He was joined by staff from the Wadsworth Center, the Dormitory Authority of New York State, and Turner Construction.

Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne was joined by staff from the University at Albany School of Public Health, where they planted a hackberry tree at UAlbany's Uptown Campus.

The Department continues to study the ways in which our environment affects human health. The Department has many environmental health programs that protect public drinking water, monitor air quality, assess chemical exposures and more.

Through a partnership with the New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO), the Department also supports local health departments with grants to further their work to reduce the impacts of climate change on public health. Learn more here.