The State of New York Department of State has approved the incorporation of the Floral Park Conservation Society, Corp. ("FPCS") as a not-for-profit corporation. Floral Park residents Christopher Deeks, William Kalberer and Thomas Nevins are serving as its initial directors, while Floral Park resident Dennis J. McEnery, an attorney with Mendes & Mount, LLP, is the FPCS's founding incorporator.

The mission of the Floral Park Conservation Society is to encourage the prudent development, management and protection of natural resources in areas within the Village of Floral Park, as well as other communities throughout the region. Its mission will be also to support conservation efforts to protect, develop and utilize such natural resources in the area for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations.

The initial focus of the FPCS will be the 12-acre site located at Raff and Carnation Avenues and Floral Parkway, known as Storm Basin #120, which is being transformed into "Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary." This site was recently leased by the Village of Floral Park from Nassau County as a passive use recreational area. The FPCS plans to liaise with both the public and private sectors to study, develop, promote and manage such passive recreational use areas.

At the most recent meeting of the Conservation Society held on July 31, attendees met with Mayor Steve Corbett at the site on Floral Parkway to consider the first phase of this multi-year project. There was a consensus that the fencing surrounding the area should be replaced and upgraded, which will also provide the space needed for the passive use pedestrian trails being planned for the site.

The next meeting of the FPCS is taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at the Floral Park Village Hall at 7:30 p.m. The organization will be establishing the various committees needed to fulfill the group's ambitious goals and to discuss its participation in Floral Park's spirit weekend activities during that week. Individuals interested in participating and contributing to the FPCS should mark their calendars and are encouraged to attend the next meeting.

The law firm of Mendes & Mount, LLP, with offices in New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles and London, remains committed to actively contributing to the community through its successful pro bono program which provides free legal services to worthy causes such as the FPCS.

Community members can forward contributions to the Floral Park Conservation Society, Corp. care of Mendes & Mount, LLP, 750 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019,or contact Dennis J. McEnery, Esq. at Mendes & Mount at (212) 261-8000 for further information.