O26 Michelle Byers NJ Environmental Foundation Presentation

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.