Spending Green For Green Space

States are increasingly becoming major players of land conservation agreements between private landowners and preservation groups.

1 minute read

August 3, 2006, 11:00 AM PDT

By Deborah Myerson


Seeking to connect the dots of environmentally sensitive areas, more states are dedicating significant funds for land acquisition and joining forces with nonprofit conservation groups to protect entire landscapes and watersheds.

Seizing the opportunity to create a southwest Florida conservation corridor, the "Florida Forever" land acquisition program helped to finance the purchase of 74,000 acres in that part of the state. In California, the state led an effort to acquire the development rights for the 128-square-mile Hearst Ranch, gateway to the Big Sur and overlooking the Pacific Ocean. And the "Yellowstone to Yukon" initiative envisions the creation of a 2,000-mile wildlife corridor stretching from Wyoming to the Arctic Circle.

The blend of public and private investment with voluntary agreements and easements from private landowners is seeking to make the buzzword "ecoregionalism" a reality.

Tuesday, August 1, 2006 in Governing Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

3 hours ago - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

4 hours ago - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

5 hours ago - Mass Transit