WeConservePA: Voters In PA Passed Referendums Raising $1.13 Billion To Protect Farmland And Open Space Since 1996

On July 29, WeConservePA issued its latest Municipal Open Space Referendum Report highlighting how 168 voter-approved referendums have raised $1.13 billion for farmland and open space protection in Pennsylvania between 1996 and this year's spring primary election.

In 1996, the General Assembly passed and Gov. Tom Ridge signed into law Act 153-- the Open Space Lands, Acquisition and Preservation Act-- authorizing local governments (excluding counties) to establish earned income and real estate taxes specifically dedicated to the acquisition of land and easements for the purpose of providing open space benefits.

Under separate statutory authority, local governments may also borrow money (including issuing bonds) to fund open space acquisitions. This borrowing may occur with or without voter approval depending on circumstances.

One hundred and two (102) Pennsylvania local municipalities have passed open space tax and bond referendums through the primary election of 2026.

Altogether, municipal open space referendums have nominally raised $1.13 billion— $595.7 million in earned income taxes, $36.7 million in real estate taxes, and $41.6 million in a combination of the two; as well as $459 million in voter-approved borrowing—for conservation since 1996. 

Click Here to read the report.

Leadership Award

Nominations are now being accepted until September 11 for--

-- Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the WeConservePA website, Click Here to sign up for regular updates from WeConservePA, Like them on Facebook, and Follow them on Twitter.  Click Here to support their work.

The 2027 PA Land Conservation Conference will be held April 14-16 in Gettysburg.

More than 114,800 Pennsylvanians contribute to local land trusts.

Related Articles This Week:

-- Foundation For Sustainable Forests Loving The Land - Landowners Tell Their Stories: Remembering Working Forest Landowner Robert Crawford  [PaEN]   

-- Western PA Conservancy Easement Protects More Farmland, Forestland In Westmoreland County  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Aug. 25 Webinar For Forestland Owners On Opportunities Available In Forest Carbon Credit Programs  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Hosts 5-Part Woodland Stewardship - Guided Engagement With Your Land Webinar Series Beginning Sept. 23  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- Morning Call: 11 Lehigh County Farms Slated To Be Saved From Development

-- Centre Daily Times - Mark Nale - Afield: Why It May Be Time To Rethink Lawn Care, Sizes In Pennsylvania 

[Posted: July 30, 2026]  PA Environment Digest