November ballot measures invest in the future

Braving the nationwide anti-tax clamor, some counties and towns facing rapid population growth are stepping up to invest in protecting their communities' quality of life and economic future. Here are some key campaigns around the country that The Conservation Campaign is working with.

Arapahoe County, CO. County Measure 1A renews the sales and use tax supporting Arapahoe County's highly successful Open Space and Trails Program. Since the program was established in 2003, through a campaign sponsored by The Conservation Campaign, it has protected 15,000 acres of watersheds, farm and ranch lands, and wildlife habitat. Read more... 

Travis County, TX. Voters in this central Texas county that encompasses the state capitol of Austin will be voting on an $82 million conservation and parks bond, along with a second proposition for transportation safety improvements.This citizen-driven campaign known as the "Travis Two-Step" is working to pass both measures. The open space bond will provide critical funds to preserve the county's beautiful and unique landscape, protect water supplies, and add parks to preserve and enhance the region's quality of life. It includes key conservation and park projects identified as priorities through The Trust for Public Land's collaborative community Greenprint process. Read more... 

Andover Borough, NJ. Land conservation has a special urgency in New Jersey, the most densely populated, built-out state in the nation. The tiny rural borough of Andover is one of eight towns in New Jersey asking voters to create or renew local conservation funding this November. Galvanizing the Andover effort is a proposed massive residential and commercial development on a beautiful, wild hilltop property that the village surrounds. If the subdivision is built, it would more than double the community's population and alter its character forever. The town is working with The Trust for Public Land to purchase the land as public open space. The ballot measure would generate the local funds needed to leverage essential county and state funding. Read more...