Land use involves the management and modification of the natural environment for human purposes. Our choices regarding the utilization of our land resources determine the future of all things on our planet. Yet, those choices can be no better than our city, county and state land use regulations.

Land conservation, through acquisition and easements, is one of the most important tools we have to improve our sustainability and resiliency.

Our most valuable resource, the resilience of a dune system protects property and habitat. A strong dune system protection of property from storm and floodwater is the coastal taxpayer’s best return on investment and provides unique maritime forest and coastal habitat.

Biodiversity is critical for ecological processes that support all life on Earth, including humans. Wildlife refuges and parks are too small and dispersed to sustain biodiversity. We must provide and encourage habitat where we live and work.

Our Nassau County heritage includes all the qualities, traditions, and features of our lives that have been passed on from one generation to the next.

Our streams, rivers, springs, oceans, and underground aquifers provide the drinking water, food sources, and habitat to sustain future generations of humanity and wildlife. Protecting our source waters (drinking waters) from pollution allows fisheries, wildlife, and humanity to continue to flourish.

Air pollution plays a destructive role in fisheries, wildlife habitat, agricultural production, forest yields, and our health. Even small increases in air pollution, such as increased traffic volumes, translate into higher medical bills averaging $2,500 more for americans each year. Long-term exposure to air pollution may cause cancer and damage to the immune, neurological, reproductive and respiratory systems of humans and wildlife alike. Exposure affects all of us on the planet.