The growth and success of land trusts is a vivid sign of the public's deep concern about this loss. Now politicians in Washington are listening to the people, too. The Administration has also proposed an innovative tax credit plan to encourage communities to issue bonds for open space and other conservation purposes. Meanwhile, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are proposing their own plans to increase federal support for open space. We applaud these initiatives and urge quick Congressional action, so that conserving green space for all Americans will become a true federal, state, and local partnership.
Land trusts can be invaluable partners with their public colleagues in conserving open space.
In Montana, the Gallatin Valley Land Trust worked with the City of Bozeman to protect the last undeveloped ridgeline within the city limits. Now, thanks in large part to the land trust's efforts, one of the best places to view the sunset in Bozeman is permanently protected. As long overdue public investment in open space moves forward, that investment will return even greater dividends if it encourages and nourishes participation of the nation's land trusts. Moreover, they know the nuts and bolts of land conservation. Land trusts are natural partners in preserving our nation's land legacy.