Protecting Open Space: Successful Programs and Landowner Perspectives

The authors review successful natural resource conservation programs from around the United States and selected areas internationally. The study, commissioned by Portland, Oregon's regional government, Metro, is a key part of the implementation strategy for the Regional Framework Plan. The study will be used to develop policies to protect and manage components of Metro's regional system of natural areas, open spaces, parks, trails, and greenways.The study reviewed more than 40 successful regulatory, non-regulatory, and combination programs. Several of these programs are watershed-based, such as the California Tahoe Conservancy and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency programs that focus on the Lake Tahoe Basin. Other programs have different areas of emphasis (e.g., greenways and corridors, trails, natural areas, agricultural areas, and forest lands). In this paper, the authors highlight some of the key elements of successful programs. As part of the study, the authors completed a series of stakeholder interviews with public and private landowners from around the Portland region. Landowners provided feedback on a variety of conservation strategies, including regulatory, acquisition, and incentive-based strategies. They also offered perspectives on appropriate ways to structure and administer conservation programs in the Portland region.