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Resources/Links
RGC Documents
2006-2007 Workplan (combined with Embrace Open Space)
EOS Collaborative's organizational structure: Final EOS Organizational Structure
For geographical prioritization, RGC/EOS utilized this:
Map of unprotected sensitive natural areas and high population growth
Quarterly Meetings
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JULY 2006 MEETING -- Topic: Conservation Funding A-Z
From Idea to Ballot Box: Community Conservation. Cordelia Pierson presented a brief overview of conservation finance strategies that help community leaders obtain funding to protect lands important to their communities. Cordelia highlighted national trends in conservation finance, including the fact that since 1996, voters have approved 1,071 open space ballot measures nationwide, raising $27.3 billion. Next, Cordelia said that Minnesota’s local measure approval rate outpaces the national rate with 79% (15 of 19 measures passed) vs. 74%. Finally, the components of a successful ballot measure were discussed. Click here for the presentation
Dakota County Farmland and Natural Areas Program. Al Singer followed with specific information about Dakota County’s $20 million bond referendum approved in 2002. The $20 million program is composed of $10 million for farmland easements and $10 million for natural area protection. A total of 20 farmland projects of 2,592 acres have been put in place for a county cost of $5.2M. The second component is the natural areas protection. A total of 20 natural area projects of 1,957 acres (county cost of $6.1 million) were completed through 2005. Click here for the presentation
Leveraging Conservation Dollars. Michael Pressman - Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) talked about specific funding scenarios gleaned from MCWD’s program (which began 3 years with a budget of $500,000, and has grown to $2 million.) Michael highlighted the income and estate tax benefits of land conservation easements and how a landowner’s contribution can be leveraged. Click here for the presentation
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APRIL 2006 MEETING -- Topic: MAPS, MAPS, DATA, DATA, DATA….. AND MORE!!
Natural resources information for required metro-area comp plan updates is the vastly better as compared to ten years ago during the last required update. Four new resources, designed to make natural resource planning easier in the metro area, were introduced.
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JANUARY 2006 MEETING
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OCTOBER 2005 MEETING -- Topic: "You're right, now they'll know it: How to get decision-makers to support conservation." Arlin Wasserman Entire presentation (2.5 meg file). This is a large file - you can also download in two parts: Part I, Part II
Greenways Planning and Implementation Documents
Metro Conservations Corridors Map. Click here
Envisioning Conservation Corridors in the Twin Cities: A brochure that includes the Metro Conservation Corridors Map, with information about the corridors and their natural resources. Side One and Side Two
Glossary of Greenway and Natural Area Terms. Click here.
Table of Park Dedications Requirements of Twin Cities Communities, based on 2005 information from the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities. Click here.
Web Resources
Embrace Open Space. This website highlights some of the many Twin Cities natural resource treasures that need support for their protection. The site also provides links to many organizations and information sources on land conservation and natural resource protection, including how to get involved. www.embraceopenspace.org
The Department of Natural Resources website contains not only information on natural resources, but on programs and grants that pertain to land conservation, including the Metro Conservation Corridors project and the Metro Greenways program. www.dnr.state.mn.us For a direct link to Metro Greenways go to http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/land/metrogreen.html
The Metropolitan Council site is the place to find the regional parks plan, digital data about metro communities as well as the framework plan for future development in the seven county metro area. www.metrocouncil.org
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