Voters Give Landslide Approval for Spending on Conservation Nationwide

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Across the nation, voters of all political leanings gave overwhelming approval yesterday to taxing themselves and spending money for new parks in their communities, The Trust for Public Land announced Wednesday. 

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.  Complete results can be found on The Trust for Public Land's LandVote website www.LandVote.org.

"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.

Of the 57 measures on yesterday's ballots, The Trust for Public Land and The Conservation Campaign were active in 27 and won 24, an approval rate of 89 percent.  Over the past 20 years, The Trust for Public Land has had an approval rate of 82%. 

Notable measures which passed:

Alabama - Alabama voters statewide passed a 20-year renewal of the state's successful Forever Wild land conservation program by 75%, which will mean $300 million for conservation.

Maine - Maine voters passed funding for the Land for Maine's Future conservation program, voting 62% in favor of a $5 million bond.

Rhode Island - Voters passed a $20 million bond to acquire open space and farmland, and to protect water quality in Narragansett Bay.

Massachusetts - Seven of the nine Massachusetts Community Preservation Act (CPA) measures were approved in towns across the state.  Massachusetts voters responded to the State Legislature's pledge of more CPA state matching funds.

Houston - Houston voters overwhelmingly approved a $166 million park bond to complete the city's bayou greenways network.  It passed with 68% approval.

San Francisco - A $195 million city park bond won 72% approval, providing new money for park improvements and development.

Gunnison County, Colorado – Voters gave 80% approval to renew a sales tax supporting the county land conservation program, which will provide almost $5 million.

Bozeman, Montana – By a 73-27 margin, voters passed a $15 million land conservation bond.

Bend and Springfield, Oregon – These two Oregon communities approved park district measures, which will mean $49 million for parks and natural areas.

Polk County, Iowa – Voters in this county, which includes Des Moines, passed a $50 million bond by 72%.  The money will pay for buying land to protect sensitive areas, connect greenways, and improve water quality.

El Paso, Texas – Voters gave 75% approval to a $245 million quality-of-life bond, which includes money to buy land and improve parks and recreation in the city

Salt Lake County, Utah – A $47 million regional parks and trails bond won passage with 56% approval.  It will help develop parks and recreation areas in the fast-growing county.

Founded in 1972, The Trust for Public Land is the leading nonprofit working to conserve land for people. Operating from more than 30 offices nationwide, The Trust for Public Land has protected more than three million acres from the inner city to the wilderness and helped generate more than 34 billion in public funds for conservation. Nearly ten million people live within a ten-minute walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. Learn more at tpl.org.

SOURCE The Trust For Public Land