DEAN ANNOUNCES PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR DAVIDSON COUNTY
Plan to be supported by matching funds from The Martin Foundation and Metro Government
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 9, 2009) -
Mayor Karl Dean announced a cooperative partnership today between The Land Trust for Tennessee and the Metropolitan Government of Nashville to develop an Open Space Plan for Davidson County.
The plan will address the strategic conservation and creation of green space, by both the public and private sectors, in an effort to protect the unique landscape of Middle Tennessee. The plan will identify opportunities in urban areas such as the creation of neighborhood parks and gardens, and protecting the hillsides and private lands, as well as opportunities outside of the urban core, such as conserving farms and forests and protecting river corridors. Developing the plan will include a complete inventory of the critical natural and cultural resources of the county, prioritized by input from the community. The plan will also include recommendations for its implementation.
The creation of an Open Space Plan was a top recommendation by the Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Mayor’s Green Ribbon Committee on Environmental Sustainability in a summary report released this past April.
“The great cities of our nation have progressive open space plans,” Dean said. “The preservation of our private and public lands and natural resources has a direct impact on the economic viability of the region, and quality of life of its citizens. Thanks to the unique mission and expertise of The Land Trust for Tennessee and a generous donation from The Martin Foundation, this project will ensure that open space continues to enhance the environmental, social, and economic well-being of our great city.”
The project is being funded through a private donation by The Martin Foundation to The Land Trust for Tennessee with matching funds from Metro that have already been approved through the capital spending plan.
“The conservation of this region’s unique places makes economic sense. It is our hope that the plan will be just the beginning of the progress toward long-term conservation by the private sector and by government,” said Shannon Martin, Executive Director for The Martin Foundation. “With Mayor Dean’s commitment to sustainability shown through his Green Ribbon Committee’s work and this partnership with The Land Trust, we look forward to participating in a project that will make a difference in Nashville for generations.”
The Land Trust for Tennessee will provide oversight and management of the project, including recruiting a consultant with national expertise to develop the plan and engaging local experts to serve in an advisory capacity.
“This is a unique opportunity to look forward 100 years and to plan for conservation like we plan for development,” said Jean Nelson, president of The Land Trust for Tennessee. “We are grateful that Mayor Dean recognizes the value of investing in these resources to keep Nashville a great place to live, raise our families, and conduct business. We are honored that he and the Martins are making it possible for The Land Trust to lead a long range vision for conservation.”
The partnership proposal will be submitted to the Metro Council on July 10. Pending Council approval, the project will take approximately 12 months to complete.
For more information visit www.landtrusttn.org/openspace.html or e-mail openspace@landtrusttn.org.
For media inquiries contact:
Janel Lacy
(615) 862-6020
janel.lacy@nashville.gov