Coaliton to Form for Land Stewardship
A meeting was held last week with representatives of the major players in a push for a Land Stewardship program in Kentucky. Organized by Terry Cook of the State Nature Conservancy, attendees heard a presentation from the National Nature Conservancy’s senior campaign coordinator, Terry Bopp, on campaign strategies for the passage of a Land Conservation amendment to Kentucky’s constitution. Bopp outlined the role the Conservancy played in the recent passage of a constitutional amendment in Minnesota which resulted in a 3/8% increase in the sales tax. This increase was passed by the voters by over a (60%) sixty percent margin and will be dedicated to Land Conservation projects as well as increased funding for the arts. If they can pass a constitutional amendment to provide money for a Land Stewardship program in Minnesota, Arkansas and Missouri we can do it here. The Kentucky Conservation Committee has been in the thick of this process from the beginning, and has helped carry it through two versions of the Land Stewardship Task Force. The KCC is currently working with legislators to produce a bill that will create a Land stewardship Fund in anticipation of a campaign for and the passage of a constitutional amendment similar to Minnesota’s. This will only be accomplished with the help of all groups interested in preserving Kentucky’s natural beauty and willing to support the kind of campaign necessary to get it passed. The Nature Conservancy along with the National Trust for Public Lands can play a huge role in this effort and it is heartening that they are now considering providing funds and technical support to help in this important process. I would encourage any of you reading this to let the KCC know of your interest in joining a coalition to begin this important work and to write or call the Nature Conservancy and express your support for a Land stewardship program in Kentucky worthy of our beautiful state. You can reach the Nature Conservancy at 1-800-628-6860 you can contact the Kentucky Conservation Committee at our website kyconservation.org. It’s time to get down to business and provide the funds this state needs to preserve and protect its dwindling natural areas.