Trust for Public Land Applauds Nationwide Wins for Greener, Healthier Communities with Voters Approving Over $16 Billion for Parks, Climate, and Conservation in 2024 Election 

Election Successes In 2024 Marks Over $110 Billion Raised in Voter Approved Public Funding for Parks and Public Lands by Trust for Public Land Since 1996 

Washington, D.C. – In an impressive demonstration of bipartisan support for the environment and bolstering community resilience to address a changing climate, voters in this year’s election approved every single one of the 23 ballot measures championed by the Trust for Public Land (TPL), generating over $16 billion in funding for parks, climate resilience, water quality, and wildlife and land conservation. This outcome reaffirms American voters’ overwhelming support for protecting land and water and creating close-to-home green spaces. 

For the November 2024 election, TPL worked closely with 23 states and localities to design, support, and advocate for ballot measures that will enhance equitable access to parks, protect vital natural areas, and secure funding for climate-resilient infrastructure. Initially, 22 measures were confirmed as successful, but overnight, the final vote count in McHenry County, Illinois, secured the passage of the last remaining measure, bringing the success rate to 100 percent. 

“The 2024 election demonstrates voters’ continued commitment to a healthier, more resilient future for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation,” said Will Abberger, Director of Conservation Finance at Trust for Public Land. “Once again, investment in parks and the outdoors has shown that these issues transcend partisan politics. TPL is proud to lead this national movement to unite Americans for a better future.” 

TPL is the national leader in supporting communities and advising state and local governments to design, pass, and implement public funding measures for parks, climate, and conservation. Since the inception of its Conservation Finance program in 1996, TPL has helped pass 681 ballot measures—an 84 percent success rate—protecting more than 4 million acres and securing over $110 billion in voter-approved funding for parks, land conservation, clean water, and climate change mitigation. 

The McHenry County measure, which passed by just 857 votes, will generate $70 million to protect drinking water sources, improve the quality of rivers, lakes, and streams, provide park access for people with disabilities, safeguard wildlife habitats, preserve forests, plant trees, and enhance and maintain existing conservation areas. 

A complete listing of all November 2024 conservation ballot measures can be found on the Trust for Public Land’s LandVote website at www.LandVote.org

The following 2024 ballot measures supported by TPL were approved by voters:  

California 

Statewide: Proposition 2 Passed 57-43 

What it will do: Make funds available for school improvements, including Community Schoolyard projects to improve education, public health, and the environment for kids and their communities.  

How it will work: Proposition 2 will provide $10 billion in bonds to construct and modernize education facilities. Community Schoolyards projects are eligible for funding under the new construction ($3.3 billion) and modernization ($4 billion) funding allocations for elementary and secondary educational facilities.  For more information: https://www.yesprop2ca.com 

Statewide: Proposition 4 Passed 58-42  

What it will do: Prevent wildfires, provide safe drinking water, and protect California lands and people in the face of significant threats from climate change. 

How it will work: Proposition 4 will authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $10 billion to finance projects for safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience, wildfire and forest resilience, coastal resilience, extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions, climate-smart, sustainable, and resilient farms, ranches, and working lands, park creation and outdoor access. For more information: https://yesonprop4ca.com/   

Los Angeles Unified School District: Measure US Passed 66-34 

What it will do: Enhance school safety, modernize school facilities, upgrade school sites, enhance accessibility, address facility inequities, update technology, support the health and well-being of students, and promote energy efficiency.

How it will work: It will provide $9 billion in bonds, including a $1.25 billion allocation for green schoolyards. 

Santa Cruz County: Measure Q Water and Wildfire Protection Initiative Passed 58-42  

What it will do: Protect drinking water sources, rivers, creeks, streams, groundwater resources, beaches, and parks, reduce catastrophic wildfire risks, and preserve native wildlife, habitats, working lands, and agriculture. 

How it will work: Measure Q will generate an estimated $146 million by levying $87 per parcel per year. For more information: https://www.sccforwaterandwildfireprotection.org/ 

Colorado

Eagle County Conservation District: Ballot Issue 7A  Passed 68-32 

What it will do: Restore and protect forest and grassland health to reduce the risk of wildfires; Maintain the health of rivers and streams and ensure adequate water supplies; support more efficient water use; conserve native bird, fish, and wildlife populations; restore habitat for pollinators. 

How it will work: Ballot Issue 7A will generate an estimated $12.9 million* by levying a property tax of 0.15 mills.  For more information: https://voteyes7a.com/ 

City of Lakewood: Measure 2A Passed 61-39

What will it do: Protect parks and open spaces, build safer streets and sidewalks, and invest in public safety services and personnel.

How it will work: Measure 2A will generate an estimated $160 million by retaining and spending revenue above TABOR limits that would otherwise be refunded to residents. For more information: https://www.ourlakewood.com/ 

Denver Public Schools: Ballot Issue 4A Passed 74-26

What it will do: Fund critical maintenance, air conditioning, arts, athletics and innovation, new facilities, learning environments (including community schoolyards and outdoor classrooms, safety, and technology.)

How it will work: Ballot Issue 4A will provide $975 million in bonds to Denver Public Schools.  For more information: https://www.denvertogetherforkids.org/ 

City of Trinidad: Measure 2A Passed 59-41  

What it will do: Make funds available to maintain local parks and playgrounds; repair and develop city parks, trails, and playgrounds to support local youth sports and disabled access; preserve open space and reduce wildfire risk by removing brush and invasive species. 

How it will work: Measure 2A will generate an estimated $11 million* by increasing the lodging tax by 3 percent.  For more information: https://www.yesontrinidad2a.com/ 

Florida

Clay County: Land Conservation Referendum to Protect Water Quality, Wildlife Habitat, Forests and Farms Passed 73-27  

What it will do: Protect water quality in rivers, lakes, creeks, and drinking water sources; conserve wildlife habitat, natural areas, and working forests and farms; reduce flooding; and provide outdoor recreation. 

How it will work: It will authorize $45 million in bonds for land conservation.  

Lake County: Clean Water Protection, Overdevelopment Prevention, Natural Area Preservation, Parks and Trails General Obligation Bond Referendum Passed 80-20

What it will do: Protect drinking water sources; preserve natural areas; protect open space from overdevelopment; provide parks and trails; improve the water quality of rivers and lakes; and protect springs.  

How it will work: It will authorize $50 million in bonds for land conservation. For more information: https://votelakeforever.com/

Martin County: Martin County Referendum Lands to Protect Water Quality, Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat One-half Percent Sales Surtax Passed 64-36 

What it will do: The surtax will protect water quality, natural areas, and wildlife habitat. 

How it will work: It will generate an estimated $183 million* by levying a 0.5 percent sales tax for ten years. For more information: https://www.martincountyforever.com/   

Osceola County: Bonds to Renew Environmental Lands Conservation Program and to Improve and Protect Water Quality Passed 84-16 

What it will do: Preserve lands from development by making funds available for acquiring, managing, restoring, and improving natural areas to protect water quality and wildlife habitat, as well as provide passive recreation.  

How it will work: It will authorize $70 million in bonds to renew the county’s environmentally sensitive lands program. For more information: https://renewosceola.com/  

Georgia 

City of Chamblee: General Obligation Bonds for Parks, Trails and Outdoor Recreational Areas Passed 80-20  

What it will do: Make funds available to design, acquire, construct, equip, and/or improve parks, trails, and outdoor recreational areas.  

How it will work: It will authorize $30 million in bonds for parks. For more information: www.chambleebond.com  

Illinois 

Lake County Forest Preserve District: Proposition To Issue General Obligation Bonds Of The Lake County Forest Preserve District In An Amount Not To Exceed $155,000,000 Passed 67-33 

What it will do: Preserve forests and natural lands; protect, preserve, and restore wildlife habitats, including providing air and water quality improvements; enhance flood control; improve hiking and biking trails and other recreational areas and infrastructure; and enhance public access.  

How it will work: It will authorize $155 million in bonds for land conservation. For more information: https://voteyeslakefp.com/ 

McHenry County Conservation District: Proposition to Increase the Limiting Rate for the McHenry County Conservation District Too close to call 50-50 

What it will do: Protect drinking water sources, protect the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams, provide park access for people with disabilities, protect wildlife habitat, protect forests and plant trees, and improve and maintain existing conservation areas. 

How it will work: It will generate an estimated $70 million by levying a property tax of 0.027 percent. For more information: https://voteyesconservemchenry.org/ 

Maine 

Statewide: Question 4 Passed 55-45  

What it will do: Invest in the design, development, and maintenance of nonmotorized, motorized, and multi-use trails statewide. 

How it will work: Question 4 will authorize $30 million in bonds for trails.  

For more information: https://www.mainetrailsbond.org/  

Town of Scarborough: Referendum Question No. 3 Passed 63-37  

What it will do: Conserve natural areas, provide public access and recreation, and protect wildlife habitat and scenic or environmentally sensitive areas. 

How it will work: Question 3 will authorize $6 million in bonds for land conservation. For more information: https://yeson3scarborough.com/  

Minnesota 

Statewide: Amendment 1: Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Renewal Passed 77-23 

What it will do: Extend funding for the State’s Environment and Natural Resources trust fund for the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. In addition to renewing funding for the program, the enabling legislation establishes a new community grants program to make this funding more accessible to tribal nations and other historically disadvantaged groups.

How it will work: Amendment 1 will reauthorize funding from the state-operated lottery for the environment and conservation for 25 years, an estimated total of $2.7 billion. For more information: https://www.mngreatoutdoors.org/  

New Mexico 

Bernalillo County: Question 3: Parks and Recreation Passed 79-21 

What it will do: Provide funding for parks, aquatic centers, community centers, playgrounds, ball fields, open spaces, cultural and educational facilities, community recreation centers and pools, and necessary redevelopment of facilities, construction, and improvements required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.   

How it will work: Question 3 will authorize $11.7 million in bonds for park and recreational facilities within the county. For more information: https://youtu.be/biu03ywX1j0?si=y3ZIvWI1-jZXwX-a 

Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District: Mill Levy for Land, Water, and Natural Resources Conservation Passed 80-20 

What it will do: Reduce the risk of wildfire for communities by improving the health of forests, including the Sandia and Manzano Forests; Protect drinking water sources and the health of rivers and streams by improving stormwater and floodplain management; restore wildlife habitat, including along the Rio Grande; preserve agricultural land by partnering with local farmers to promote healthy soil practices; and restore and conserve natural areas and open spaces to provide equitable access to the outdoors.  

How it will work: It will generate an estimated $120.6 million* by levying a property tax up to 0.25 mills. For more information: https://cleanwatersnm.org/   

New York 

City of Kingston: Proposition 4 Passed 62-38  

What it will do: Create a Community Preservation Fund to invest in clean water, urban agriculture, historic resources, recreation, and natural areas preservation.

How it will work: It will generate an estimated $12 million by levying a 1.25 percent real estate transfer tax. For more information: https://preservekingston.vote/  

South Carolina 

Jasper County: Question 1 Special Sales and Use Tax  Passed 55-45 

What it will do: Fund transportation and conservation projects, including $94 million for financing greenbelt initiatives including but not limited to purchasing property for conservation, purchasing conservation easements, creating passive greenspace, creating active greenspace, protecting natural resources, protecting agricultural or heritage landscapes, and protecting scenic corridors.  

How it will work: Question 1 will generate an estimated $470 million* by levying a 1 percent sales tax for 15 years. For more information:  https://www.voteyes1and2.com/   

Washington   

San Juan County: Proposition 1: Extending Conservation Area Real Estate Excise Tax Passed 67-33 

What it will do: Fund the acquisition and maintenance of conservation areas, which include but are not limited to open spaces, wetlands, marshes, aquifer recharge areas, shoreline areas, natural areas, and other lands and waters that are important to preserve flora and fauna. 

How it will work: Proposition 1 will generate an estimated $45 million* by extending a 1 percent real estate excise tax for 12 years.  For more information: https://www.renewourlandbank.com/

*When a ballot measure authorizes a new tax (sales tax, property tax, etc.), we count the estimated revenue generated for the duration of the tax (for example, 10 years). When the tax is not limited to a specific term (continues in perpetuity), a duration of 20 years is used to estimate the total amount generated. For bonds, we count the face value of the bonds authorized, rather than the total cost of repaying the bonds with interest. Bonds typically are paid back over a 20–30 year period. 

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About Trust for Public Land   

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,364 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, and raised $110 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.4 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org