Assembly Resolution No. 316

BY: M. of A. Thiele

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
June 12, 2021, as Dragonfly Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing
official days established to increase awareness of serious issues; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 12, 2021, as Dragonfly Day in
the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Dragonflies are a sentinel species; their presence (or
absence) is indicative of the health of our wetland ecosystems, and
whether harmful chemicals such as pesticides, nitrogen, or bacterial
contamination and pathogens, are present; and

WHEREAS, Efforts to control mosquito populations with pesticides and
wetland modifications disrupt marine and terrestrial food webs; certain
forms of wetland modifications may compromise the ability of wetlands to
remain resilient to the impacts of climate change; more science-based
studies are needed; and

WHEREAS, Ecosystem services include: flood and storm water control,
surface and ground water protection, carbon sequestration, erosion
control, water and air filtration, flood and extreme weather event
buffers, habitat for a range of plant and animal species, as well as
providing food and spawning; and

WHEREAS, Wetlands are compromised when infrastructure is built
directly adjacent to wetland areas; coastal wetlands need room to expand
and migrate inland as the sea level rises and severe weather events
increase; and

WHEREAS, Developments on tidal wetlands, dredging and hardening of
the shoreline prevent important tidal flows that are part of dynamic
sediment systems needed to sustain wetland areas; reduced tidal flows
mean reductions in ecosystem services such as sediment retention,
nutrient and organic matter recycling, storm, flood and sea level rise
buffers; and

WHEREAS, Healthy tidal and freshwater wetlands not only provide
ecosystem services, habitat and sources of food for marine and
terrestrial animals, but provide resiliency to our coastal areas by
absorbing wave energy, storm surges and floodwater protecting
infrastructure and saving lives; and

WHEREAS, Freshwater wetland areas that are polluted by storm runoff,
mowed or modified will have diminished ecosystem services and
biodiversity loss and may become breeding grounds of new vector borne
diseases that flourish as temperatures increase in the years ahead; and

WHEREAS, Scientific nature-based solutions offer powerful tools for
addressing climate change related hazards including biodiversity and

ecosystem loss; dragonflies like damselflies, birds and bats are
voracious predators but they are diminishing in numbers; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious issue, and more must be done to protect wetland ecosystems
and dragonfly habitat at the local, State and national levels; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 12, 2021, as
Dragonfly Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.