Record Land Conservation Measures Passed

Among the many environmental gains made in last weekend’s Democratic victory was a record setting commitment to land conservation. In 23 states across the country, voters from both parties passed 99 ballot initiatives dedicated to funding land conservation to the tune of 5.73 Billion dollars.

While fighting sprawl has long been seen as the domain of quixotic Portland residents or the Nature Conservancy, the sudden willingness of communities to pass bond or tax measures on themselves to fund land preservation may mark the beginning of a larger reaction against the unchecked exurban development so common in this country.

Most surprising of all, was the strong support for conservation measures in traditionally Republican areas like Utah, South Carolina and Texas, not exactly known for their environmental voting records. Perhaps this is a reaction to the assault of suburban development on traditionally Republican rural farming and ranching communities where development pressures are increasingly paving over a traditional way of life.