Sustainable Long Island held its 4th Annual Sustainability Conference on Friday in Bethpage, giving attendees a chance to learn how Long Island can use the green economy to provide opportunity and access for residents to create a healthier environment and a stable economy.
Community members and activists, government officials, architects, builders, and other stakeholders were among the 400 plus attendees gathered for the daylong event, which also honored May Newburger and featured keynote speaker Senator Charles Schumer.
“What a great success this conference was, and is, for the future.” said Steve Bellone, Supervisor, Town of Babylon. “Sustainable Long Island is a critical partner in advancing green economy initiatives and this event helps spread important ideas throughout the region.”
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Interactive workshops, a plenary featuring Long Island’s college and university presidents, and a community bus tour through Wyandanch explored issues including industry trends towards sustainability, access to green jobs, incentives and policies to help businesses join the green economy, and ways on how community planning practices help revitalize towns and restore environmental quality. Participants experienced first-hand how Sustainable Long Island advances economic development, environmental health and social equity opportunities.
“This was a great day in all aspects of the word,” said Jon Kaiman, Supervisor, Town of North Hempstead. “May Newburger represents all that Sustainable Long Island stands for and having Senator Schumer speak about the issues that he touched on, is a great testament to the organizations work and goals, which we all have before us.”
“The amount of participation shows business and local residents want to work on Long Island; they want to work on toward a better, more sustainable future,” said Mitchell H. Palley, Weber Law Group LLP, who was also a moderator for the “What Will It Take? Incentives and Policies” workshop at the conference. “I am very pleased with how the day progressed and excited for what’s to come.”
Speakers included Long Island’s college and university presidents; Sarah Lansdale, Sustainable Long Island; Deeohn Ferris, Sustainable Community Development Group, Inc.; Honorable Charles Schumer, New York State Senate; David Winchester, Clean Tech Rocks; Evette Beckett-Tuggle, Nassau County Office of Economic Development; Mitchell H. Pally, Weber Law Group LLP; and numerous industry leaders, community advocates, and elected officials.
