LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 60th Anniversary of The Nature
Conservancy

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals and organizations within the great State of New York that
are dedicated to the vital work of environmental protection; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 60th Anniversary of The Nature Conservancy; and
WHEREAS, The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the
lands and waters on which all life depends; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy is the world's lead-
ing conservation organization; and
WHEREAS, The Nature Conservancy's first official chapter was chartered
in New York, with the Eastern New York Chapter; from there, a network of
chapters and field offices grew to cover the entire United States; and
WHEREAS, Currently, The Nature Conservancy has four Chapters in New
York: Long Island; Central and Western New York; Adirondack; and Eastern
New York; additionally, there are offices located in New York City and
Albany; and
WHEREAS, In 1955, land protection, a key tool for The Nature Conser-
vancy, began with a 60-acre purchase along the Mianus River Gorge on the
New York-Connecticut border; today the Conservancy owns and manages more
than 70 preserves statewide; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of 60 years, The Nature Conservancy has
helped protect over 700,000 acres of lands and waters in New York State,
working with a host of partners from local, state and federal agencies
to private landowners; and
WHEREAS, The Nature Conservancy has protected treasured landscapes and
critical habitats in Great South Bay and Peconic Estuary on Long Island,
the high peaks of the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes, Tug Hill, Mashomack
Preserve on Shelter Island, the Shawangunk Ridge, Zoar Valley, the Cats-
kills, and more; and
WHEREAS, In addition to preservation, The Nature Conservancy seeks to
contribute science to inform policy as it works to achieve its mission
in New York as well as throughout the globe; and
WHEREAS, The Nature Conservancy's staunch advocacy on the state level
has been instrumental in the efforts to protect our natural resources
and habitat, subsequently contributing to the preservation and enhance-
ment of the environment of the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, For the last 17 years, The Nature Conservancy's Leaders in
Environmental Action for the Future (LEAF) Program has worked tirelessly
with youth in an ambitious effort to empower the next generation of
conservation leaders and equip them with the skills and knowledge to
address our world's most pressing environmental challenges; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of organizations such as The Nature Conservancy which work
tirelessly on behalf of protecting our natural surroundings for the
benefit of present mid future generations of New Yorkers; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of The Nature Conservancy; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Nature Conservancy.