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What one thing (event, person, change in thinking, etc) in your region’s approach to conservation contributed most to the expansion of your conservation network?
What one thing (event, person, change in thinking, etc) in your region’s approach to conservation contributed most to the expansion of your conservation network?
Boulder
Boulder
Two points in the history of the Boulder metro area led to steps that helped increase the portfolio of land preserved in Boulder County. The first event was rapid building in the City of Boulder beginning in the 1950s, including multiple planned developments in the foothills surrounding Boulder. The realization by the community that unchecked growth would quickly modify the natural beauty and views to the west of town were threatened (one of the things that most clearly defines Boulder’s image and quality of life), spurred the community, in 1967, to pass the first municipal sales tax in the country dedicated to open space land acquisition. This set the foundation for the acquisitions that maintained much of the land to the west of Boulder as Open Space.
Two points in the history of the Boulder metro area led to steps that helped increase the portfolio of land preserved in Boulder County. The first event was rapid building in the City of Boulder beginning in the 1950s, including multiple planned developments in the foothills surrounding Boulder. The realization by the community that unchecked growth would quickly modify the natural beauty and views to the west of town were threatened (one of the things that most clearly defines Boulder’s image and quality of life), spurred the community, in 1967, to pass the first municipal sales tax in the country dedicated to open space land acquisition. This set the foundation for the acquisitions that maintained much of the land to the west of Boulder as Open Space.
The second event that occurred was the rapid development in grassland areas surrounding other communities East of Boulder in the 1980s and 1990s. Watching the rapid pace with which grassland habitats were being converted to suburban neighborhoods led the community to pass an additional sales tax to allow accelerated Open Space acquisitions in 1989. This also spurred the Open Space Director to funnel significant resources and attention to acquiring the relatively large blocks of grassland habitat that still surrounded Boulder. This change in focus allowed Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks the opportunity to manage areas of grassland habitat that while still limited in size, are sufficiently large to support more diverse ecosystems and sensitive species, directly adjacent to urban areas (including calving elk, grassland nesting birds, burrowing owls, nesting Bald Eagles and Federally threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse). These significant purchases would not be possible today with continued rapid development of the areas surrounding Boulder.
The second event that occurred was the rapid development in grassland areas surrounding other communities East of Boulder in the 1980s and 1990s. Watching the rapid pace with which grassland habitats were being converted to suburban neighborhoods led the community to pass an additional sales tax to allow accelerated Open Space acquisitions in 1989. This also spurred the Open Space Director to funnel significant resources and attention to acquiring the relatively large blocks of grassland habitat that still surrounded Boulder. This change in focus allowed Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks the opportunity to manage areas of grassland habitat that while still limited in size, are sufficiently large to support more diverse ecosystems and sensitive species, directly adjacent to urban areas (including calving elk, grassland nesting birds, burrowing owls, nesting Bald Eagles and Federally threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse). These significant purchases would not be possible today with continued rapid development of the areas surrounding Boulder.
Chicago Wilderness
Chicago Wilderness
The concept of Chicago Wilderness has most contributed to our region’s conservation abilities. And most recently in my experience, the concept of the Priority Species Campaign has greatly increased networking around the region. As a priority species campaign leader, I have worked with several biologists and land managers from around the region that I had not had the opportunity to work with before. By working together to develop a work plan and monitoring protocol, we formed connections, combined resources, and exchanged information about best practices for studying our species. I am confident that these connections will be useful not just in the context of the priority species campaign, but for addressing conservation issues into the future.
The concept of Chicago Wilderness has most contributed to our region’s conservation abilities. And most recently in my experience, the concept of the Priority Species Campaign has greatly increased networking around the region. As a priority species campaign leader, I have worked with several biologists and land managers from around the region that I had not had the opportunity to work with before. By working together to develop a work plan and monitoring protocol, we formed connections, combined resources, and exchanged information about best practices for studying our species. I am confident that these connections will be useful not just in the context of the priority species campaign, but for addressing conservation issues into the future.
- Seth Magle
The formation of CW, A network or natural resource professional who can rally together to build support for the work we do.
The formation of CW, A network or natural resource professional who can rally together to build support for the work we do.
- Gary Glowacki
There were two products that helped change the pace and scale of conservation. One was the Atlas of Biodiversity for Chicago, which was a great tool to share with elected officials, teachers, corporations, etc. It articulated why Chicago is special and why from an ecological point of view. The other was the Green Infrastructure Vision for Chicago. It was extremely useful for land use planning across the region, and it included a vision for the region stretching forward to 2040 (GOTO 2040). Those are two amazing products that accelerated the expansion of natural areas and advanced educational goals as well.
There were two products that helped change the pace and scale of conservation. One was the Atlas of Biodiversity for Chicago, which was a great tool to share with elected officials, teachers, corporations, etc. It articulated why Chicago is special and why from an ecological point of view. The other was the Green Infrastructure Vision for Chicago. It was extremely useful for land use planning across the region, and it included a vision for the region stretching forward to 2040 (GOTO 2040). Those are two amazing products that accelerated the expansion of natural areas and advanced educational goals as well.
- Jerry Adelmann
The referenda passed by a number of organizations were the most major contributors here. There were key organizations that played critical roles in those, including county forest preserves and regional organizations.
The referenda passed by a number of organizations were the most major contributors here. There were key organizations that played critical roles in those, including county forest preserves and regional organizations.
- Chris Mulvaney
Pima County
Pima County
In Pima County, approval of $174 million bond (2004) to acquire open space; approval of $45 million in transportation funding for wildlife linkages through a Regional Transportation Authority (formed in 2004); and creating a new paradigm that affords science and data a consistent seat at the table and in which conservation drives many of the planning decisions in the county, or at least is a factor that is considered.
In Pima County, approval of $174 million bond (2004) to acquire open space; approval of $45 million in transportation funding for wildlife linkages through a Regional Transportation Authority (formed in 2004); and creating a new paradigm that affords science and data a consistent seat at the table and in which conservation drives many of the planning decisions in the county, or at least is a factor that is considered.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
I believe that the discovery by wildlife biologist Miguel Ordeñana and subsequent media promotion of P-22, LA’s Hollywood mountain lion, was instrumental in the rapid advancement of interest in wildlife in the Los Angeles region and at the very least contributed to if not outright inspired the efforts launched by Councilmember Paul Koretz, UCLA’s Grand Challenges, CLAW (Citizens for Los Angeles Wildlife), the Nature Conservancy, the LA County Natural History Museum and many others. He has even inspired an upcoming documentary entitled, “The Cat That Changed America.”
I believe that the discovery by wildlife biologist Miguel Ordeñana and subsequent media promotion of P-22, LA’s Hollywood mountain lion, was instrumental in the rapid advancement of interest in wildlife in the Los Angeles region and at the very least contributed to if not outright inspired the efforts launched by Councilmember Paul Koretz, UCLA’s Grand Challenges, CLAW (Citizens for Los Angeles Wildlife), the Nature Conservancy, the LA County Natural History Museum and many others. He has even inspired an upcoming documentary entitled, “The Cat That Changed America.”
- Andy Shrader
On May 10, 2017, Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion to begin incorporating explicit biodiversity measures into departmental policy. The motion calls for the development and implementation of a locally appropriate biodiversity index based on the Singapore (or City) Index. It also requires City departments to investigate how they can actively enhance biodiversity in their policies and practices. The motion lays the foundation upon which the the Mayor’s Office, City departments, educational institutions, and the grassroots community can develop a biodiversity strategy for Los Angeles.
On May 10, 2017, Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion to begin incorporating explicit biodiversity measures into departmental policy. The motion calls for the development and implementation of a locally appropriate biodiversity index based on the Singapore (or City) Index. It also requires City departments to investigate how they can actively enhance biodiversity in their policies and practices. The motion lays the foundation upon which the the Mayor’s Office, City departments, educational institutions, and the grassroots community can develop a biodiversity strategy for Los Angeles.
- Liz Crosson
San Diego
San Diego
In my opinion, our biggest success to date, has been the rate of the assembly of the preserve as well as the complementary conservation we have been able to achieve that has expanded the preserve through grant funding.
In my opinion, our biggest success to date, has been the rate of the assembly of the preserve as well as the complementary conservation we have been able to achieve that has expanded the preserve through grant funding.
Wake County
Wake County
The Wake County Consolidated Open Space Plan brought together all twelve municipalities in the area and funded each municipality’s individual plan that was included in the county-wide plan. The plan was approved by the Wake County Board of Commissioners and has been a useful tool to make conservation a priority county-wide and to justify the success of the open space program. Implementation of the plan was a huge success. Voters approved a total of $91 mil in open space bonds from 2000-2007. Connectivity is key for success of future and hopefully will be helped by the most recent Wake County Systemwide Greenway Plan, which also included all 12 municipalities.
The Wake County Consolidated Open Space Plan brought together all twelve municipalities in the area and funded each municipality’s individual plan that was included in the county-wide plan. The plan was approved by the Wake County Board of Commissioners and has been a useful tool to make conservation a priority county-wide and to justify the success of the open space program. Implementation of the plan was a huge success. Voters approved a total of $91 mil in open space bonds from 2000-2007. Connectivity is key for success of future and hopefully will be helped by the most recent Wake County Systemwide Greenway Plan, which also included all 12 municipalities.
A couple of specific successes for the open space conservation program would be the Marks Creek Initiative and the Buffalo Creek/Robertson Millpond purchases.
A couple of specific successes for the open space conservation program would be the Marks Creek Initiative and the Buffalo Creek/Robertson Millpond purchases.
The Marks Creek Initiative is a partnership among the Trust for Public Land, the Triangle Land Conservancy and Wake County to focus attention on an ecologically valuable area. Together the partners have protected 1,400 acres and are still working together to purchase more land in that area. This initiative was called the “Umstead of the East” by Commissioner Joe Bryan and enjoys broad support (referring to 5,000+acre Umstead State Park in western Wake County).
The Marks Creek Initiative is a partnership among the Trust for Public Land, the Triangle Land Conservancy and Wake County to focus attention on an ecologically valuable area. Together the partners have protected 1,400 acres and are still working together to purchase more land in that area. This initiative was called the “Umstead of the East” by Commissioner Joe Bryan and enjoys broad support (referring to 5,000+acre Umstead State Park in western Wake County).
Robertson Millpond on Buffalo Creek has been a known N.C. State Significant Natural Area for a long time, due to the unique blackwater community so far inland. This area was also on the earliest plans of the Wake County parks and open space program in late 1970s. Wake County purchased Robertson Millpond along with 500+ additional acres along Buffalo Creek in 2013 and 2014. This success in conservation was the result of a very long game and waiting for the families to be ready to sell.
Robertson Millpond on Buffalo Creek has been a known N.C. State Significant Natural Area for a long time, due to the unique blackwater community so far inland. This area was also on the earliest plans of the Wake County parks and open space program in late 1970s. Wake County purchased Robertson Millpond along with 500+ additional acres along Buffalo Creek in 2013 and 2014. This success in conservation was the result of a very long game and waiting for the families to be ready to sell.
Image Credits
Image Credits
The Sheep Station (NYC) - George Hess
Bluff Spring Fen (Elgin, IL) - George Hess
Echo Park (Los Angeles) - Scott Cher
Robertson Millpond Preserve (Wake County) - George Hess
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