Blueprint for a Greener East End

This year’s economic recession brought the East End building boom to a stand still. What’s next for the East End? How can the East End build upon its significant environmental accomplishments to transform into a greener region? How can the East End improve its quality of life, reduce regional fossil fuel consumption, and strengthen the area’s agricultural and fishing industries in sustainable ways?

Marcia Bystryn, President of The New York League of Conservation Voters, will present Blueprint for a Greener East End, identifying four key policy areas: smart growth, sustainable agriculture, preserving the quality of the Long Island aquifer, and protecting the Peconic Bay’s many natural assets. Taken together, the League’s recommendations create a framework for developing a sustainable future for the East End that will protect the environment while encouraging economic growth.

The East End is home to an array of rare and endangered plants and animals, a place of stunning natural beauty and productive working farms. Yet rapid development in recent years has strained the area’s natural resources that draw generations of farmers and vacationers. All of these natural and cultural resources are endangered by uncontrolled growth and energy-intensive development patterns. In order to protect and nurture these priceless resources, the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund presents its 2009 policy agenda for Long Island’s East End.

NYLCV is a non-partisan, policy-making and political action organization that works to make environmental protection a top priority with elected officials, decision-makers, and the voters by evaluating incumbent performance and endorsing and electing environmental leaders to office in New York State.

This event is sponsored by Southampton Town’s Sustainable “Green” Advisory Committee. This committee advises the Town Board on an array of Green projects. This October the committee is promoting the Great Greening of Southampton. More information is available here.