The SPET measure “Teton County Land Conservation Opportunities Fund” would provide public seed funding for important preservation projects in our community. Support conservation this fall at the ballot box!
Conservation, in particular ecosystem stewardship and the concept of “Town as Heart,” are core community values identified in the Teton County Comprehensive Plan. The Teton County Land Conservation Opportunities (TCLCO) SPET measure is a chance to provide funding that would help advance those conservation and community preservation goals by leveraging private philanthropy with public funding.
The ballot is sponsored by Teton County and would provide “$8,000,000 for the Teton County Scenic Preserve Trust to acquire interests in state trust or private land to conserve wildlife habitat, protect open space, protect historic agricultural uses, protect scenic values, and protect public access.” Similar to the Community Housing Fund approved in the 2019 SPET cycle, the TCLCO would allow the Town and County to be ready when an opportunity presents itself (Like Café G and Save the Block!), to contribute to, and thereby enable, conservation-minded solutions. Such opportunities could include conservation easements, leasing, or outright purchase, including creative solutions that may foster affordable housing in conjunction with conservation.
There are numerous critically important parcels in the Town of Jackson and throughout Teton County, whether they be public, private, or State Trust lands, that are currently facing intense development pressure. Those parcels include, but by no means are limited to, Munger Mountain, South Park, and the Highway 390 State Trust lands. That pressure threatens to erode our community character and undermine the community’s conservation and preservation goals.
Our community needs a public funding source for conservation. We hope you’ll join us at the ballot box in November and support the TCLCO SPET measure by voting YES!
Check out the website here and join the TCLCO’s facebook page to keep up with events and information and be sure to talk to your neighbors about this important opportunity!
