Key Program Elements

What is the hallmark of successful nature protection programs? The case studies of Nature-Friendly Communities show that it is savvy, energetic people—politicians and citizens alike—who know how to pick and choose among a menu of tools and tailor them to the local political, social, and environmental conditions. They recognize that one-shot approaches will usually fall short, and instead opt to weave together a number of key elements and tools.

Program Structure and Administration
How is the local program structured? What resources in terms of staff and budgets are available? Who are the key players, and what about relationships with other organizations and institutions? These indicators relate to how the local program is structured, staffed, and administered. For example, a very good indicator of local interest and efforts in the land use planning sphere is the number of qualified professionals on staff and whether any have natural resource training. Beyond that, have staff in other departments been educated and imbued with a sense of ecological responsibility?

On the institutional side, are there organizations or other agencies in existence that work with the local government toward protection of natural resources? Does the local government lend support to such organizations as land trusts? And do the protection programs go beyond the purely local through regional governmental or intergovernmental agreements? The most effective programs are those that build partnerships and take a regional focus.

Planning
Effective regulatory and acquisition strategies need to be based on careful planning and background work. Has the local government inventoried and mapped natural resource areas before it regulates or acquires land? On the basis of these inventories/mapping, has the local government adopted a resource protection element in its comprehensive and open space plans that is based on sound ecological principles (e.g., preserving critical lands in blocks versus fragmentation). Are the plans used as a template for acquisitions? How do the plans tie into regional habitat protection plans?

Acquisition/Funding
Successful programs inevitably have a strong acquisition element to purchase critical habitat, backed by permanent funding sources (e.g., dedicated sales taxes). Land dedication/impact fee programs that require new development to mitigate impacts by setting aside open space or providing funds for that purpose are also becoming increasingly important facets of acquisition strategies.

Regulations
Zoning and land development regulations are typically the backbone of local government resource and wildlife habitat protection programs. They can take many forms, ranging from riparian setbacks to conservation subdivision options to resource conservation overlay districts. Additionally, fiscal impact assessment tools that gauge the true cost of development can be a valuable element. Such tools often work to discourage unwise development or lay the groundwork for mitigation requirements. Typically, the existence of a number of such regulatory regimes is a good indicator that the local government is serious about habitat protection, particularly if implementation is strong and effective.

Restoration
Particularly in older urban and suburban jurisdictions, a good deal of habitat has been degraded. A good indicator for these communities is attempts to restore damaged habitats (e.g., eroded stream banks along urban drainages). An increasing number of greenfield communities require restoration of habitat and vegetation damaged or destroyed during the development process.

Leading by Example
A good test of local resolve is often whether local governments follow their own rules
(e.g., zoning regulations) and take good care of the lands under their jurisdiction (e.g., parks). This section emphasizes the importance of “walking the talk.”

Social Indicators
Some critics claim that biodiversity protection is only for the well-to-do. Smart communities embrace programs that attempt to ensure that everyone benefits from habitat protection and that such programs don’t have adverse impacts on working-class families. Some of these efforts encourage infill development and urban revitalization that can help limit sprawl and preserve open space. Others enact inclusionary housing programs that require new developments to include a fair share of affordable housing. A growing number of cities and urban counties have initiated park and recreation programs that support fishing and similar activities that are easily accessible to lower-income city dwellers.

Education
Education programs for local government employees and citizens can be essential to laying a strong foundation of respect for local habitat protection regulations. Programs in local schools can help create an educated citizenry. Ambitious education and involvement programs can provide political support and invaluable volunteer time to resource protection efforts.

Results
In the final analysis, results speak loudly of a community’s commitment to resource protection. How much land is actually being protected? What is the condition of local environmental resources like water? Is the area losing species or are they holding their own? Communities are beginning to use more than just anecdotal information to gauge progress in their nature protection programs.

Innovative Approaches
In addition to the more traditional indicators discussed previously, local governments around the country have demonstrated a great deal of creativity in implementing a variety of other programs, policies, and laws that support resource protection. Some have effective landowner outreach programs. Others have native plant nurseries that support local vegetation protection and mitigation requirements. Other jurisdictions have funded estate planning for ranchers to help them craft plans to protect open space. Existence of such efforts is a good indicator of local government commitment in this arena.

These key elements, discussed in greater depth in Nature-Friendly Communities, make up a successful nature protection program. Implementing these tools can help spell success. However, each tool can also pose challenges from a variety of perspectives—legal, political, and financial.

From Nature-Friendly Communities: Habitat Protection and Land Use Planning, by Christopher Duerksen & Cara Snyder. Island Press, 2005.