The Conservation Program Handbook
A Guide for Local Government Land Acquisition
Between 1996 and 2007, voters approved almost $24 billion for local government park, open space, and other conservation purposes. Despite this substantial sum for land protection, there was at that time no book available to guide officials as they implemented voters’ mandates. The Conservation Program Handbook was written in response to numerous requests to The Trust for Public Land for exactly this type of guidance from community leaders who wanted to know how to effectively conserve their iconic landscapes.
In addition, in November 2008, despite massive doses of terrible financial news, voters across the U.S. approved land conservation funding measures. It was a record-breaking year for land protection financing, with voters demonstrating substantial support for open space ballot measures despite the economic and fiscal crisis of the time.
The Conservation Program Handbook is a manual that provides all of the information—on a broad spectrum of topics—that conservation professionals are likely to encounter. It compiles and distills advice from professionals based on successful conservation efforts across the country, including a list of “best practices” for the most critical issues conservationists can expect to face. By providing information on how to do conservation work in the best possible manner, The Conservation Program Handbook has the goal of increasing the amount, quality, and pace of conservation being achieved by local governments throughout the nation.
“Written in a lively and engaging style, with useful examples throughout The Conservation Program Handbook will be a real help to local officials in deciding where and how to invest conservation dollars. “
“”This is the definitive guide on planning and managing a public land conservation program. It will help government agencies and nonprofits prioritize the right lands, make cost-effective decisions, and build public trust. Why re-invent the wheel when you can learn from the experience of over fifty conservation programs around the country.”
“How wonderful to have a universal resources guide promoting conservation practices. This book will enable counties of all sized and demographic to develop best management practices and ‘walk the talk’ of going green while saving green.”
Case Studies and Sidebars
Foreward
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter one Introduction
Chapter two Laying the Groundwork for Protecting Land
Chapter three Advisory Committees
Chapter four Staffing
Chapter five Project Selection
Chapter six Criteria
Chapter seven Identification and Application Policies and Process
Chapter eight Due Diligence and Documentation
Chapter nine Leverage and Partnerships
Chapter ten Transaction Design
Chapter eleven Land Management and Stewardship
Chapter twelve Communication
Chapter thirteen Conclusion
Endnotes
Appendix I
Appendix II
Resources
Index
You may purchase this title at fine bookstores across the United States. Outside the USA, see our international sales information.
