Environmental advocate, Executive Director Long Island Pine Barrens Society
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Key moments and achievements from Richard Amper's life.
Richard was born
· Lake Panamoka, New York, United States
While operating his own successful public relations firm, Amper & Associates, Richard Amper was recruited by environmentalists John Turner and Bob McGrath to bring professional communication strategies to the fledgling Long Island Pine Barrens Society. He officially took the helm as Executive Director in 1989, shifting the organization’s focus from quiet advocacy to high-profile legal and political action. By leveraging his media expertise, Amper transformed the Society into a formidable force capable of challenging major developers and government agencies in court to prevent the fragmentation of the island's last great wilderness.
While operating his own successful public relations firm, Amper & Associates, Richard Amper was recruited by environmentalists John Turner and Bob McGrath to bring professional communication strategies to the fledgling Long Island Pine Barrens Society. He officially took the helm as Executive Director in 1989, shifting the organization’s focus from quiet advocacy to high-profile legal and political action. By leveraging his media expertise, Amper transformed the Society into a formidable force capable of challenging major developers and government agencies in court to prevent the fragmentation of the island's last great wilderness.
Richard Amper’s strategic leadership was the driving force behind the passage of the 1993 Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act, which was signed into law by Governor Mario Cuomo. This landmark legislation established a 102,500-acre preserve across the towns of Brookhaven, Riverhead, and Southampton, effectively ending decades of legal battles over land use. The Act created a unique "Core Preservation Area" where development was prohibited and a "Compatible Growth Area" that allowed for controlled economic expansion while protecting the region's vital underground aquifer.
Richard Amper’s strategic leadership was the driving force behind the passage of the 1993 Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act, which was signed into law by Governor Mario Cuomo. This landmark legislation established a 102,500-acre preserve across the towns of Brookhaven, Riverhead, and Southampton, effectively ending decades of legal battles over land use. The Act created a unique "Core Preservation Area" where development was prohibited and a "Compatible Growth Area" that allowed for controlled economic expansion while protecting the region's vital underground aquifer.
Recognizing that land preservation alone could not protect Long Island’s drinking water, Richard Amper helped launch the Long Island Clean Water Partnership in 2014 alongside organizations like The Nature Conservancy and Citizens Campaign for the Environment. This coalition focused on the urgent threat of nitrogen pollution from aging septic systems, which was causing toxic algae blooms and degrading coastal water quality. Amper’s involvement ensured that water protection became a top priority for state and local policymakers, leading to significant new funding for wastewater infrastructure and stricter environmental standards.
Recognizing that land preservation alone could not protect Long Island’s drinking water, Richard Amper helped launch the Long Island Clean Water Partnership in 2014 alongside organizations like The Nature Conservancy and Citizens Campaign for the Environment. This coalition focused on the urgent threat of nitrogen pollution from aging septic systems, which was causing toxic algae blooms and degrading coastal water quality. Amper’s involvement ensured that water protection became a top priority for state and local policymakers, leading to significant new funding for wastewater infrastructure and stricter environmental standards.
In 2019, Richard Amper faced the profound loss of his wife and partner in activism, Robin Hopkins Amper, who had been a foundational member of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society. Robin was a formidable advocate in her own right, known for her deep knowledge of local ecology and her unwavering commitment to the "Pine Barrens" mission since the couple's first environmental fight in the 1970s. Her passing marked the end of a legendary partnership that had defined Long Island’s conservation movement for nearly half a century, leaving Richard to carry on their shared vision alone.
In 2019, Richard Amper faced the profound loss of his wife and partner in activism, Robin Hopkins Amper, who had been a foundational member of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society. Robin was a formidable advocate in her own right, known for her deep knowledge of local ecology and her unwavering commitment to the "Pine Barrens" mission since the couple's first environmental fight in the 1970s. Her passing marked the end of a legendary partnership that had defined Long Island’s conservation movement for nearly half a century, leaving Richard to carry on their shared vision alone.
By 2020, the Long Island Pine Barrens Society celebrated a historic milestone as the total amount of protected land within the Central Pine Barrens reached the 100,000-acre mark. Richard Amper viewed this achievement as the fulfillment of the promise made in the 1993 Protection Act, securing a massive "green lung" for a region otherwise dominated by suburban sprawl. This vast expanse of pitch pine and oak forest continues to serve as the primary recharge area for the Magothy and Lloyd aquifers, providing clean drinking water for millions of residents thanks to Amper's decades of persistence.
By 2020, the Long Island Pine Barrens Society celebrated a historic milestone as the total amount of protected land within the Central Pine Barrens reached the 100,000-acre mark. Richard Amper viewed this achievement as the fulfillment of the promise made in the 1993 Protection Act, securing a massive "green lung" for a region otherwise dominated by suburban sprawl. This vast expanse of pitch pine and oak forest continues to serve as the primary recharge area for the Magothy and Lloyd aquifers, providing clean drinking water for millions of residents thanks to Amper's decades of persistence.
Richard Amper passed away
