O26 Michelle Byers NJ Environmental Foundation Presentation

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.