Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Sustainable Long Island Executive Director Amy Engel

Sustainable Long Island held its Sixth Annual Sustainability Conference on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the Carlyle on the Green, in Bethpage State Park, highlighted by a keynote address from Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and the 2nd Annual "Getting It Done" Awards. "The Many Facets of Sustainability" provided an opportunity for attendees to discuss the evolution of sustainability, where it has come from, and where it is headed.   

Over the past decade sustainability has evolved to incorporate many different meanings, including elements of environmental health, economic development, and social equity In regard to the land and environment, sustainability means making sure the communities we live in can continue to achieve what they are meant to achieve; clear water, fresh air, clean land, healthy food, and being able to provide all people with a high quality of life.   

Pictured (Clockwise): 1. Ron Shiffman, Pratt Institute; Marge Rogatz, Community Advocates; and Ruth Negron-Gaines, SLI Board President 2. Pat Edwards, Citi Community Development; Dr. Veronica Henry, Executive Assistant to the President and Chief Diversity Officer, Farmingdale State College, SUNY 3. Mark Lesko, Town of Brookhaven Supervisor; Mitch Pally, Long Island Builders Institute; Tullio Bertoli, Town of Brookhaven Planning Commissioner 4. Robert Stricoff, Chief Executive Officer, Town of Babylon IDA 

A recent surge in awareness of this concept has transformed the sustainability movement into a modern, local, global, trend that has moved from the meeting halls of community centers to the mainstream public eye. Throughout the day attendees recognized sustainability as more than just a topic for an Annual Conference... It's an issue that has expanded from simple ideas into a way of life for many people nationwide, including large segments of Long Island's population.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone's keynote address stressed to the crowd that, "If you have not started to plan, you have already failed." He described projects in Babylon and Wyandanch - long-standing efforts in which he has partnered with Sustainable Long Island, and said a better future for Long Island could be created by addressing the environment, social equity and planning.   

"How do we address the future of sustainability? We address all of it," said the County Executive. "We will create a sustainable future for Long Island."   

After Bellone's keynote, Sustainable Long Island presented the 2nd Annual "Getting It Done" Awards, honoring the co-chairs of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council (LIREDC) in Kevin Law and Stuart Rabinowitz, as well as Town of Southampton Councilwoman Bridget Fleming and Former Village of Farmingdale Mayor George "Butch" Starkie.    

The honorees received their awards in a presentation ceremony which highlighted their hard work in taking projects from early concepts to successful completion and their efforts in bringing together local communities and municipalities.   

Town of Southampton Councilwoman Bridget Fleming (3rd from left) and team accepting award

Former Village of Farmingdale Mayor George Starkie (middle) and team celebrates with award

Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz accepts award; presented by SUNY Old Westbury President Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III

Long Island Association President and CEO Kevin Law accepts award; presented by Pat Edwards, Citi Community Development

Community members and activists, government officials, planners, builders, decision makers, and other stakeholders were among the hundreds of attendees gathered for the daylong event, which also featured a "Hall of Exhibitors" highlighting their green businesses and services, including our very own High School Fellows discussing the projects they've been working on over the past year.

Participating Exhibitors: 

511 NY Rideshare - Cornell Cooperative Extension, Suffolk County - Empower Solar - Grassroots Environmental Education - Sustainable Long Island's High School Fellows Lime Energy - Natural Systems Utilities - Northeast Organic Farming Association of NY - PK Metals - Progressive Marketing Group - Suffolk County Community College  

Transit Solutions - Event Sponsors 

Attendees then participated in interactive workshops on a range of topics including brownfield redevelopment, economic growth, greening Long Island, and food, health, and the economy.   

These thought-provoking workshops touched on redevelopment plans, food projects, housing and transportation issues, and major pending projects across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.   

Throughout the day, Sustainable Long Island emphasized the face of sustainability today to be the people who care most, those who have identified critical situations, developed tools toward creative solutions, and provided resources so the public can advance sustainability.

Pictured (From Left to Right): 1. Joe Gergela, Long Island Farm Bureau; Bob Nolan, Deer Run Farms LLC; 2. Gary Rozmus, Gannett Fleming, P.E.; Jody Kass, New Partners for Community Revitalization  

A morning plenary discussing the evolution of sustainability was moderated by Larry Levy of Hofstra's National Center for Suburban Studies with Dr. Robert Brinkman (Sustainability Studies at Hofstra), Carrie Meek-Gallagher (Suffolk County Water Authority), Elaine Gross (ERASE Racism), and Chris Kent (Farrell Fritz) providing their input on the important issue.