O26 Michelle Byers NJ Environmental Foundation Presentation

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