Get Involved in Municipal Land Use Decisions
Local decisions determine the fate of most open space. That means interested residents can make a dramatic difference in whether or not land gets protected.
Most land development decisions and open space finance decisions are made by municipal councils made up of volunteers elected by the community’s voters. As a resident, you may attend the monthly meetings of these boards and express support for specific land conservation planning, ordinance or finance effort. You can encourage your municipality to consider adopting the model ordinances offered in Natural Lands Trust's Growing Greener: Conservation By Design program.
Planning Commissions
Most municipalities also have a planning commission, comprised of volunteers appointed by the elected municipal council. These review and make recommendations on most subdivision plans submitted by developers, and advise the elected leaders on ways to improve land development planning and ordinances.
Environmental Advisory Councils
Environmental Advisory Councils (EACs) are similarly comprised of volunteers from the community, and provide guidance to elected leaders and programs to the community at large on local environmental concerns. EACs have been central to designing and winning approval for open space programs with dedicated revenue.
Some EAC's also provide specific environmental comments on subdivision proposals, or have designed and even administered municipal open space programs.
Support Local Conservation Groups
Local land conservation non-profits are another excellent way for volunteers to make a difference. These complement public efforts with private funds. In addition to their own land protection work many help mobilize support for public open space programs. Others supply local governments with conservation planning expertise, and aid with land/conservation easement acquisition.
Share Your Passion for Nature
Finally, you can encourage friends and family members to get involved in conservation in their home-towns. Word-of-mouth is ultimately the best way to bring new people into the conservation community. If you're a parent or grandparent, try to teach your children or grandchildren about the wonders of the natural world around them. If it gets in their blood when they're young, they'll work to preserve it in the future!
