O26 Michelle Byers NJ Environmental Foundation Presentation

N A T U R E F O R A L L REIMAGINING NATURE IN NEW JERSEY | MICHELE S. BYERS

We owe it to ourselves and to the next generation to conserve the environment so that we can bequeath our children a sustainable world that benefits all. WANGARI MAATHAI NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

NEW JERSEY, THE “GARDEN STATE” AT A CROSSROADS - AGAIN Everyone needs nature in their neighborhood, not just to survive, but to thrive. Land and nature are the fundamental supports of life: Water, air, food, health, peace of mind, and beauty keep humans and wildlife alive and thriving. Land and nature are also essential to addressing many serious challenges New Jersey faces today - including impacts from climate change, securing a safe and adequate water supply, loss of biodiversity, and environmental injustice. Land is a scarce, precious non-renewable resource. But once preserved and protected from development, with careful stewardship its benefits continue in perpetuity. Over the last 60 years New Jersey has permanently preserved over 33% of the state’s land area, including forests, farmlands, wetlands, parks forests and trails.

However, since the 1940s, development and urbanization have led to the loss of well over a million acres of wetlands, forests and farmlands resulting in 37% of the state developed. In fact, over the last 30 years, New Jersey lost almost 400,000 acres of farmland, forest and wetlands to development. In addition, the fragmentation of farmlands and forests has increased resulting in smaller patches of both landscape features and a loss of connected landscapes needed for full ecosystem function. The actions New Jersey takes in the next 30 years to are critical to the future economic and environmental health of the state.

According to the Conservation Blueprint New Jersey’s land area can be broken down as follows: 4,792,000 Total land and water area in acres 1,584,000 Preserved 33% 1,801,000 Developed 38% 1,407,000 Available 29%* 778,000 unconstrained 16%* 629,000 constrained 13%* *neither preserved nor developed WHAT IS NEXT ? Step up for a brighter and healthier future: Permanently preserve at least 500,000 acres, or half of the most highly ranked available lands, by 2050, and make a sustained multi -year investment in the environmental health and quality of New Jersey’s cities, towns, and urban communities.

New Jersey must redouble its efforts to expand its land preservation efforts to ultimately preserve 50% of the best of what’s left of the state’s land area by 2050 to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of our environment, communities, and economy. The Conservation Blueprint tool identifies lands most critical for ecological and water resources, agriculture, and community greenspaces. It is essential to preserve both high-value conservation lands that are at risk of development as well as high-value conservation lands that are environmentally constrained by regulations. Regulatory programs do not provide the same level of protection as is provided by permanent preservation. PRESERVE 50% OF THE BEST OF THE AVAILABLE LANDS BY 2050, AT LEAST 500K ACRES

The Governor and the State of New Jersey should establish a Green and Healthy Cities Initiative to create a comprehensive planning and investment program for the state’s underserved urban areas to ensure vibrant healthy communities. The Initiative should be led by a Green and Healthy Cities Task Force, made up of residents from directly affected communities, who will determine the needs.

A VISION FOR NEW JERSEY: NATURE FOR ALL Reimagined and reunited By 2050, every New Jersey resident will have: • Vibrant, attractive and livable cities, towns and urban communities with a high environmental quality and nature in every neighborhood, • Clean drinking water from protected water sources, • Clean air to breathe, • Easy access to locally sourced healthy foods, • Safe and accessible outdoor recreation, including parks, trails, fields, forests and water access, • High quality open spaces and parks in every community, • Reduced mental stress and reduced loneliness through green spaces, • Access to safe, clean beaches and inland water bodies for public recreation like swimming, fishing and birding, • Beautiful and peaceful natural areas, • High environmental quality and quality of life, • Shade to protect against and to escape from sun and heat, minimizing the dangerous heat island effect, • Sound and effective land use planning and zoning protections, • Natural lands to recharge aquifers and absorb flood waters, • Diverse and healthy populations of native plants and animals, • Strong community identity and connections, • Personal and intimate nature connections, inspiring curiosity and awe.

What will be the fate of roughly 29% of New Jersey's land area that is up for grabs and still needs to be developed or preserved?

Choice 1: Maintain the status quo/ take no new actions. LAKEWOOD, NJ NEW DEVELOPMENT 2019 (COURTESY: ASBURY PARK PRESS) CAMDEN STREET SCENE IN WATERFRONT SOUTH (COURTESY: CATHOLICMOM.COM) HELMETTA, NEW JERSEY | AUGUST, 2021 (COURTESY MY CENTRAL JERSEY. COM)