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Resolution to Adopt the Town of Aurora Open Space Plan 2026 WHEREAS, the Town of Aurora is blessed with a rich and diverse natural landscape, including woodlands, stream corridors, wetlands, farmlands, and public parks, which serve vital environmental, recreational, and aesthetic functions; and WHEREAS, the Town of Aurora Open Space Committee, established in 2007, has worked diligently alongside the Town Board, Planning Board, and local residents to inventory, evaluate, and protect valued open spaces from overdevelopment; and WHEREAS, the 2026 Open Space Plan builds upon the foundation of the 2010 Open Space Plan and outlines a comprehensive strategy to preserve Aurora’s natural heritage, enhance community access to nature, and promote connectivity between parks, preserves, and open spaces; and WHEREAS, the Open Space Plan defines open space as any part of Aurora’s landscape that is essentially underdeveloped, including areas serving environmental functions or used for forestry, agriculture, or low-impact recreation; and WHEREAS, the Town of Aurora has successfully secured and protected key open space areas, including Owens Falls Nature Preserve, Mill Road Scenic Overlook, Cazenovia Creek Nature Sanctuary, and Sinking Ponds Nature Sanctuary, through partnerships with organizations such as the WNY Land Conservancy; and WHEREAS, the Open Space Plan emphasizes the importance of creating an integrated green network through the Wildway Initiative, which aims to establish wildlife corridors and connect existing parks, preserves, and open spaces for the benefit of both residents and local ecosystems; and WHEREAS, the Town of Aurora recognizes that preserving open spaces strengthens property values, enhances tourism, provides wildlife habitat, improves water and air quality, and provides scenic views that contribute to the character and beauty of the community: and WHEREAS, the Town of Aurora is committed to active stewardship, exceptional access to nature, and maintaining the rural character and high quality of life for its 13,800 residents; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Aurora formally adopts the 2026 Open Space Plan as a guiding document to preserve, protect, and