Hello John,

This November, voters across the country will have a chance to cast their ballot to support dedicated funding for park, conservation, and climate mitigation and adaptation. TPL is supporting 33 state and local measures to protect drinking water sources, improve air quality, preserve wildlife habitat and natural areas, and create new parks on November 8, 2022, election ballots. Here are our top five:

New York (statewide) 

At $4.2 billion, this is the largest state ballot measure TPL is supporting in this election. In addition to providing significant funding for climate adaptation and resiliency, the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Green Jobs Bond requires that 35-40 percent of the funding be dedicated to projects in environmental justice communities, ensuring meaningful impact in areas that were hardest hit by pollution historically. 

Los Angeles, CA

The Los Angeles City Council referred Measure SP, a 30-year parcel tax, to the November ballot in June. If approved, Measure SP will generate $227 million/year or $4.5 billion over 20 years. Funds will be prioritized based on the 2018 Los Angeles’ City Parks Coalition Assessment and pay for improvements, development, and acquisition of open space, waterways, and recreation facilities, regional parks, trails, and beaches, as well as ongoing operations and maintenance. 

Forest Preserves of Cook County, IL 

TPL has been working since 2016 to establish dedicated funding for the Forest Preserves. In July 2021, the Forest Preserves Board referred the 0.025 percent property tax increase to the November ballot. If approved, the measure would generate more than $1 billion over 25 years. This funding would be used to implement the Forest Preserves’ “Next Century Conservation Plan.” In addition to restoring 30,000 acres, the plan also calls for acquiring land to expand the forest preserves, improve air and water quality, and protect wildlife habitat and natural areas for Cook County, with a focus on Chicago’s southeastern suburbs.

Beaufort County, SC 

Located in the South Carolina Low Country just south of Charleston, Beaufort County voters will consider the first county sales tax measure to dedicate local funding to land conservation under a new state law. If approved, the new one-cent sales tax would apply for two years and raise up to $100 million to conserve land to protect water quality, wildlife habitat, and natural areas. The measure greenlights land conservation not only in Beaufort County, but also in the more rural and disadvantaged adjacent counties of Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton.

This will be the sixth land conservation funding measure considered by Beaufort County voters, following successful bond referenda in 2000, 2006, 2012, 2014, and 2018. The results: 121 land protection projects preserving in total 28,537 acres. 

Kendall County, TX 

Located deep in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Kendall County is the fifth fastest-growing county in the nation. This November, voters there will consider a $20 million bond for land conservation to protect the Guadalupe River, drinking water sources, working farms and ranches, and wildlife habitat. 

Is there a park, conservation, or climate measure on the ballot where you live? Find out here. For a full list of all the ballot measures TPL is supporting, check out our website.
 

We urge TPL members to vote YES for these ballot measures. Check your voter registration status and encourage your friends and family to register and vote. Make a plan to vote early, absentee/by mail, or on Election Day.

Don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard and vote YES for parks, conservation, and climate. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022!
 

Respectfully,

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