Our Mission:

To promote Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) on Long Island through research, education, and structural reform. Ecologically Sustainable Development is development within the carrying capacity of the environment. This development should meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Furthermore, ecological and social problems are intertwined and should be solved as democratically and as locally as is feasible.

The Institute will focus on Projects that:

• Control sprawl by reorienting development to neighborhood centers, "downtowns," and "brownfields;"
• Develop local and regional indicators of sustainability;
• Evaluate projects based on their real costs and benefits—including environmental and social costs and benefits;
• Protect and monitor coastal estuaries, groundwater aquifers, agricultural lands, and nature preserves;
• Empower lower income populations;
• Protect and enhance the quality of community life, public infrastructure, and public health;
• Make government and industry more accountable and responsive to the people;
• Establish sustainability programs within and among schools and businesses;
• Plan regional conferences and publish papers.

 Specific Projects:

• Sustainable Indicators
• New Urbanism/Traditional Neighborhood Development Education
• Early Warning/Industrial Retention
• Local Currency Projects

Rethinking Development on Long Island:

The key to sustainable development on Long Island is the revitalization of its communities and its ecology. We must put an end to the "mega-malling" of Long Island by rebuilding villages and bioregions that are economically vibrant, ecologically productive, and socially equitable. This cannot happen without an effective expansion of democratic processes and community empowerment.

In working towards community empowerment and sustainability we must acknowledge that we cannot define the prosperity of a community by the living standards of the wealthiest but by that of the vast majority. This majority includes people of many different races, religions, ethnicities, and income levels. To meet the needs of Long Island’s diverse population it is imperative to have people from many different communities involved in region-specific and Island-wide projects that focus on ecology and social justice. Acknowledging the need for diverse involvement, The Institute hopes to work with community groups across the island. We intend to facilitate Island-wide efforts through an Institute Coordinating Committee involving universities and local community groups.

The Institute is based at the C.W. Post and Southampton campuses of Long Island University. In order to address the unique needs of Long Island, the C.W. Post campus will focus on the suburban landscape of Nassau and Western Suffolk. Southampton College will address the unique needs of the East End’s Peconic Bioregion.

How to get involved:

Individuals or groups interested in getting on our mailing list or lending financial support can contact Co-directors, David Sprintzen at (516) 299-3051 or Sprintz@titan.liunet.edu and Scott Carlin at (516) 287-8238 or Scarlin@aurora.liunet.edu, or Project Coordinator Erin Gertz at (516) 299-3051

Mail can be sent to David Sprintzen or Erin Gertz at the Department of Philosophy, C.W. Post Campus, Long Island University, Brookville, NY 11548 and to Scott Carlin at Southampton College, Social Sciences Office, Southampton, NY 11968.