The Conservation Fund Picked To Lead Development Of Open Space Plan For Davidson County, Tennessee

January 7, 2010

Contact:

Vanessa Vaughan, The Conservation Fund
(703) 908-5809 / vvaughan@conservationfund.org

Nashville, TN—The Conservation Fund was selected by Mayor Karl Dean and The Land Trust for Tennessee to lead the team to develop an Open Space Plan for Davidson County.

The search process for a consultant with national expertise began earlier this year following the formation of a partnership between The Land Trust for Tennessee and the Metropolitan Government of Nashville to develop an Open Space Plan. The plan will be a roadmap for the strategic conservation and creation of green spaces, by both the public and private sectors, in an effort to protect the unique landscape of Middle Tennessee.

The creation of an Open Space Plan was one of the top recommendations by the Mayor’s Green Ribbon Committee on Environmental Sustainability in their report released this past June.

“Green space and open space are a quality of life issue, an environmental issue and an economic issue,” Dean said. “The Conservation Fund knows how to weigh all of these, and how to develop a conservation plan that’s tailored to a community’s unique goals and opportunities. I look forward to their work and to having a plan that will allow us to accommodate our city’s future growth while maintaining a high quality of life and a healthy environment.”

The Conservation Fund’s work will kickoff early in the year with a complete inventory of the critical natural and cultural resources of the county. This inventory will be developed and then prioritized by input from the community. The final phase of the project will be recommendations for implementation of the plan. The plan is estimated to be complete in 12 months.

The Conservation Fund is partnering with ACP Visioning, Hawkins Partners and Clarion Associates. The Land Trust for Tennessee will be managing the project and working closely with the consultants.

“The Conservation Fund, through its focus on environmental protection and economic development, is uniquely positioned to lead a consensus-based planning effort,” said Jeanie Nelson, Executive Director of The Land Trust for Tennessee.

The project is being funded through a private donation by The Martin Foundation to The Land Trust for Tennessee, supplemented with funds from Metro already approved through the capital spending plan.

About The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund is dedicated to advancing America’s land and water legacy. With our partners, we conserve land, train leaders and invest in conservation at home. Since 1985, we have helped protect more than 6 million acres, sustaining wild havens, working lands and vibrant communities. We're a top-ranked conservation organization, effective and efficient.