Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli (D-Great Neck), who introduced the successful bill in the New York State Assembly setting standards for cleaning up and redeveloping abandoned or vacant parcels known as brownfields, lauded the introduction of a new Girl Scout patch called Brownfield Busters. It was developed by Sustainable Long Island to introduce girls to important environmental issues.

At a press conference to unveil the Brownfield Busters patch, guest of honor DiNapoli, who chairs the Assembly's Environmental Conservation Committee, noted that the brownfield law was a "much needed catalyst for the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites throughout the state, and I am glad that the Girl Scouts and Sustainable Long Island also recognize the significance of protecting our environment."

"Long Island is the home of many brownfields, land that has been abandoned or underused because of concerns about contamination," said Sarah Lansdale, executive director of Sustainable Long Island. "Because Long Island is reaching its build out, it is important to promote awareness that developing brownfields offer opportunities to reuse and recycle land. This is a concept the next generation of Long Islanders needs to learn about, and this patch will be a fun way to introduce our young Girl Scouts to brownfields and other sustainable development principles."

The program is composed of a variety of environmentally oriented activities for girls ages 5 to 17. A major component involves the girls finding brownfield sites in their own communities, learning how they got that way and suggesting ideas for redevelopment. Other patch activities range from brownfields word games to participating in community meetings involving development.

Donna Ceravoio, CEO and executive director of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County said, "We can't think of a more creative way to engage our Girl Scouts in the concept of environmental stewardship and community planning. This patch also gives our girls the opportunity to learn the importance of advocacy in relation to environmental impact and how their personal acts can change their communities for the better."

Sustainable Long Island seeks to promote the development or revitalization of communities - with special emphasis on environmental concerns, economic growth, and equal social opportunities for all Long Islanders. Sustainable does this by bringing together community groups, government agencies, financial institutions, construction contractors and other private businesses and devising a plan with them, helping them finance it and then overseeing the entire project from start to finish.

For the first year of the program, the patch is free. For information on the patch, call Donna-Rivera-Downey at 741-2550, ext. 260 or riverad@gsnc.org, www.gsnc.org.