Tony Soprano, Atlantic City and Conservation

With 1,174 residents per square mile, it is the most densely populated state in the country. Its "Meadowlands" is not known for wildlife diversity, but rather football diversity (the only stadium home to two NFL teams). The longest hike many visitors may take is along Atlantic City's neon-lit boardwalk. In short, New Jersey is probably better known for providing habitat to "The Sopranos" than to species.

Yet even this most urban of states provides the latest reminder of how important conservation is to Americans, evident with the approval of the state-wide Green Acres conservation bond this past November 3.

In an election where the incumbent governor who supported the Green Acres bond lost, and the "economy" and "taxes" were the runaway top-two issues cited by voters in exit polls, this $400 million conservation bond received 53 percent of New Jersey voters' support.