Nevertheless, many communities acknowledge that they must take greater initiative to protect their valuable green spaces for future generations. It explores how American communities have historically protected and maintained open space through a combination of planning strategies, regulatory measures, public investments and private initiatives. Since the fiscal and economic implications of open space conservation are crucial to policymaking, the report describes several methods of estimating the economic value of open space to communities. Finally, the report analyzes the effectiveness, practicality and fairness of tools now used by communities to finance open space acquisitions. With this information, interested parties can think strategically about local conservation opportunities.
Communities can protect open space in three basic ways, which are often used in combination.
First, land can be preserved through regulatory measures, such as agricultural zoning, conservation zoning, impact fees, and dedications of land. Growth management policies have proven useful in numerous communities experiencing rapid development. But despite the effectiveness of these measures in some areas, land use regulations can be challenged or rendered unenforceable by new political leadership. Secondly, localities and states can acquire land outright or provide funding to maintain open spaces through bond issues, sales taxes, real estate transfer taxes, special districts, special assessment areas, and business improvement districts. This option is expensive and often politically complex.