"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."

"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 toward a better, more sustainable future," said Mitchell H. Pally, 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, United States Senator for New York; 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.

We want to thank all of our attendees, speakers, panelists, moderators, sponsors, exhibitors, restaurants, volunteers, supporters, friends and many more for making this great event possible!

Click here or on any of the photos above to view the full album from the conference!

• What a great way to kick off the day. The bus tour in Wyandanch, led by Supervisor Steve Bellone, is really showing attendees...

• ..How the town and community are returning dormant properties to productive use; creating jobs; and incentivizing a range of housing options.

• Deeohn Ferris with a great opening speech quoting Apollo 13, "Sustainability is not an option." It's also about measuring it.

• Deeohn Ferris also talking about green design and green buildings creating green jobs and the importance of equity in each of these areas.

• "It doesn't happen top-down," says Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz. "It has to be student's responsibility..We (must) keep green in mind."

• "I see the school's role as curator, creator, and critic," says Dr. Robert A Scott, President of Adelphi University.

• Workshop A: "It takes a communities response to take care of the energy weatherization we face." - Pat Malone, Stony Brook University.

• Workshop B: "Green careers and training need to be accessible." - Rick Wertheim, Construction Manager and Housing Specialist
  

• Workshop C: "We are working closely with chambers of commerce to ensure small businesses can hang on." - Leg. Kevan Abrahams, Nassau County
  

• "We tend to latch on and overuse words (sustainability), but it's about what's done that counts." - May Newburger

• Steve Bellone introducing Senator Schumer... "We are going to break ground on sewers in Wyandanch and it could not be done without him."

• "You want to look to the future, look here on Long Island." - Senator Schumer

"A revitalization effort takes community support and planning, partnerships between local government and civic organizations and cooperation among businesses and the people who visit them. When all these efforts come together change can happen, yet often we are still left wondering why it hasn't. The answer seems to be simple: we need fresh, innovative ideas and partnerships."

• Advanced Restoration Corporation's Blog featuring loyal supporter Eric Martin
• The always entertaining and thought-provoking Community Alliance Blog