The organization was established in Bridgehampton in 1972 to serve as a community advocate for conservation in response to broad-based community concern about the future development of the region. The Group employs a full-time staff of professional planners, natural resource specialists, and environmental educators that bring over 100 years of collective land use, education, and public advocacy experience to the local community. Over the years, the Group has developed a reputation for achieving lasting conservation success with the support of broad-based civic, business, and elected constituencies.