Voters Give Landslide Approval for Conservation Spending

The Trust for Public Land announced that across the nation, voters of all political leanings gave overwhelming approval to taxing themselves and spending money for new parks in their communities.

Of the 57 measures on local and statewide ballots, 46 passed, an approval rate of 81%. The measures in 21 states will provide more than $2 billion overall, including $767 million in new money to support protection of water quality, new parks and natural areas and working farms and ranches.

"From Maine to Texas to San Francisco, we saw voters across the political spectrum say yes to taxes and spending for conservation, which helps their communities," said Will Rogers, President of The Trust for Public Land. "For example, in Maine, voters passed new spending for statewide conservation at the same time they elected an Independent to represent them in the United States Senate."

"Alabama voters gave their state to Mitt Romney at the same time they overwhelmingly renewed a statewide land conservation program, while Rhode Island voted for President Obama at the same time a statewide bond for open space was approved," said Rogers.

"This shows that while we may hold differing views about political offices, one thing which unites us all is the desire to build parks and protect land and water in our communities," said Rogers.

Notable measures that passed:

• Alabama—Alabama voters passed a 20-year renewal of the state's successful Forever Wild land conservation program.
• Maine—Maine voters passed funding for the Land for Maine's Future conservation program.
• Rhode Island—Voters passed a $20 million bond to acquire open space and farmland, and to protect water quality.
• Massachusetts—Seven of the nine Massachusetts Community Preservation Act (CPA) measures were approved. 
• Houston— Voters overwhelmingly approved a $166 million park bond to complete the city's bayou greenways network.
• San Francisco, Calif.—Voters approved a $195 million bond providing money for park improvements and development.
• Gunnison County, Colorado—Voters gave approval to renew a sales tax supporting the county land conservation program.
• Bozeman, Mont.—By a 73-27 margin, voters passed a $15 million land conservation bond.
• Bend and Springfield, Ore.—These two Oregon communities approved $49 million for parks and natural areas.
• Polk County, Iowa—Voters passed a $50 million bond that will pay for buying land to protect sensitive areas.
• El Paso, Texas—Voters approved a $245 million quality-of-life bond, which includes money to buy land and improve parks.
• Salt Lake County, Utah—Voters aprroved a $47 million parks and trails bond to develop parks and recreation areas.

Click here for the complete results.

Source: The Trust for Public Land