2006 Conservation Awards Winners
Map showing 2006 Awards Winners
Links to detailed descriptions of 2006 Winners on this page.
Calvert County, MD
Santa Fe County, NM
Carroll County, MD
Volusia County, FL
Los Angeles County, CA
Wake County, NC
Small Category
Calvert County, MD
Land Preservation and Growth Management
Calvert County, a rural enclave located 46 miles south of Washington, D.C., is a place of salt-water farms and marshes. In 2003, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a highly successful initiative to combat development pressures and protect remaining open space.
"The government of Calvert County takes it lead from its citizens, and the citizens made it very clear that they did not want Calvert County to look and feel like everywhere else. They wanted to preserve the quality of life experienced in Calvert, and to protect farms and open spaces as much as possible," said Commissioner David F. Hale. "Clear and unwavering direction from the citizens empowered the government to make hard decisions such as down zoning of residential densities, fully funding our growth control and preservation initiatives for several consecutive years, and tightening of our adequate facilities laws."
The commissioners reduced allowable densities in most zoning districts, then allowed densities to be "bought back" or even increased in designated growth areas with the purchase of Transferable Development Rights (TDR) from rural and resource protection areas. Thus far, the results have been impressive, with growth steadily shifting from prime farms and forest areas into designated growth areas. Of the 23,473 acres protected in Calvert County, 11,652 acres have been protected through the TDR program. Where development rights once fetched less than $2,000 per acre, today they go for between $6,000 and $9,000 per acre.
Commissioner: David F. Hale
Calvert County Web Site
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| Photo: Don Usner |
Open Space and Trail Program
Santa Fe County's Open Space and Trails Program was launched with revenues from a $12 million bond in 1998 and a subsequent $8 million bond in 2000. In 2002, citizens further supported the program by increasing the county's gross-receipts tax, providing an additional $1.2 million in annual funding for open space and trails.
"The Open Space and Trails Program is unique in that in addition to land conservation, this program also protects sites of cultural, historic, and sacred value," said Santa Fe County Commission Chairman Harry Montoya. "They partner with traditional rural Hispanic communities and Native American tribes and include tribal consultation in their projects. They also aid in bringing neighborhoods and communities together in developing community based open space, trails and park projects, especially in underserved areas."
Santa Fe County has successfully leveraged this money with a range of state and federal grants, as well as through landowner donations and bargain sales on land transactions. In addition to strong finance measures, the county has established numerous planning and land use initiatives that encourage the protection of land. For example, seven individual community plans - including open space components - have been adopted for the unincorporated villages. A Transfer of Development Rights ordinance has also been implemented to protect open space along the major highway arteries. Recently, a plan was announced requiring 50 percent open space on all new development in the Community College District, a high-growth area south of the city.
Commissioner: Harry Montoya Santa Fe County Open Space and Trail Program Web Site
Medium Category
Carroll County, MD
Critical Farms Program
Carroll County's Critical Farms Program, launched in 1992, has protected 5,794 acres of farmland on 49 different properties to date. Under the program, the county gives certain landowners and potential purchasers temporary, immediate funding in exchange for placing a conservation easement on their property. Once the farming operation is secured, the farmer can then negotiate the sale of the easement to the State of Maryland under its agricultural preservation program. Essentially, the county has "forward funded" the purchase of the conservation easement that the property owner will then negotiate with the state. Once the easement is purchased by the state, the County is reimbursed for its initial payment to the landowner.
"Hard working farmers, tempted by the lure of wealthy developers who want to build on their land, find it difficult to maintain their business without additional capital. Our Critical Farms Program offers that much needed capital, in a timely fashion, in exchange for a promise of preservation," said Carroll County Commission President Julia W. Gouge. "We are halfway to our goal of 100,000 acres being permanently preserved."
To date, twenty-two full-time farmers have used the program to purchase their first farm, and another 14 have been able to expand their operations. Based on the success of Carroll County's program, the State of Maryland is looking to adopt a statewide program that will provide immediate funding to farmers and prospective landowners.
Commissioner: Julia W. Gouge Carroll County Agricultural Land Preservation Program Web Site
Volusia County, FL
Volusia Forever Program
Volusia County established one the state's first land conservation programs in 1986. In the last 20 years, Volusia County has partnered with state agencies and nonprofits to acquire $79.1 million worth of land in development's path. Of this total, $28.5 million has come from other funding partners, demonstrating the county's ability to leverage public funds.
County officials renewed the open space program in 2000, based on extensive public input, and renamed it Volusia Forever. That same year, voters passed a referendum levying a 1/5 mill property tax, which is expected to generate $162 million for Volusia Forever over the next 20 years.
"Citizens of Volusia County care about the quality of life," said County Chair Frank Bruno. "In a fast growing county such as ours, it's extremely important we preserve and protect our valuable green space, our environmental resources and our water recharge area. The Volusia Forever program will be a legacy for future generations. We are very honored to receive this award."
The county has demonstrated a strong commitment to management, restoration, and public access on acquired lands, and up to 10 percent of annual tax revenues are earmarked for this purpose. The Volusia Forever Advisory Committee, composed of nine citizens, provides assistance to county staff on potential acquisitions by reviewing and ranking properties under consideration and making formal recommendations to the Volusia County Council (county commission).
County Council Chair: Frank T. Bruno Jr.
Volusia County's Volusia Forever Program Web Site
Large Category
Los Angeles County, CA
County of Los Angeles Proposition A Funded Projects
In 1992, when Los Angeles County's population was 9 million and growing, the County Board of Supervisors established the Los Angeles Regional Park and Open Space District. That same year, county voters passed Proposition A, a landmark measure that created a $540 million, 22-year assessment to fund park and open space projects. Four years later, in 1996, voters approved a second assessment measure, generating an additional $319 million for open space through 2019. Since 1992, Los Angeles County and its myriad partners - including municipalities, conservancies, and nonprofit organizations - have spent nearly $700 million in Proposition A funds to create a network of parks and greenways that will serve residents for generations to come.
"The County of Los Angeles is proud to be the recipient of the 2006 County Leadership in Conservation Award and is pleased to be a model to other counties for innovative visioning, funding and land acquisition," said Los Angeles County Mayor Michael D. Antonovich. "The five projects, one in each Supervisorial District, reflect our efforts to preserve areas for recreation and conservation and protect key open spaces for future generations."
By 2006, the population of Los Angeles has swelled to 10 million and is expected to reach 11 million by 2025. However, due to the county's leadership and foresight, these residents will continue to have the opportunity to enjoy neighborhood parks and green spaces and, in so doing, experience a more livable city.
Mayor of the Board: Michael D. Antonovich
LA County Regional Park & Open Space District Web Page
Wake County, NC
Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS)
Alarmed by population growth and intense development in the Raleigh metropolitan area, 78 percent of Wake County voters in 2000 authorized $15 million in general obligation bonds to launch the county's Open Space Program. An additional $26 million bond measure passed in 2004.
"Wake County citizens favor maintaining a high quality of life even as we grow," said Commissioners' Chair Tony Gurley. "We are proud that our citizens, towns and businesses agree on the value of preserving open space, greenways and watershed areas. Our community has shown its support of open space through cooperative planning, public bond financing, private sales and donations, and a passionate advocacy. This cooperation has resulted in preservation of 3,200 acres to date, with more planned in the future to keep Wake County a great place to live."
In just six years, Wake County has protected 3,200 acres of open space. Wake County has worked tirelessly in the face of mounting growth pressures. It has partnered with non-profit organizations and municipalities to acquire 3,200 acres of forests, wetlands, and greenways. County staff worked with all 12 municipalities to create a countywide Consolidated Open Space Plan, the first of its kind in North Carolina. The county also managed to leverage its dollars with substantial funding from state and federal agencies, foundations, and municipalities. While the actual purchase price of protected land is $38.5 million, the county has only expended $21.8 million in county funds.
Commissioner: Tony Gurley
Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Web Site
Posted 3/2006
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