The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has many innovative programs that help to conserve important land and create parks. These reports outline the many important reasons why land conservation and creation of parks are important to the Massachusetts residents. This report is meant as a general education tool and of special interest to high school students. As well as profile the recent incredible accomplishments of several young conservationists in high school and college.
2014 Land Protection Report
2010 Land Protection Report
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Land Protection 2007-2010
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Winter 2010
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and its agencies took action to permanently protect more than 75,000 acres of land - the equivalent of 54 acres per day - since 2007. By increasing land spending to $50 million annually, focusing on three key land priorities, and enhancing conservation partnerships the stage was set for a renaissance in land conservation and park creation. More than 114 parks have been created or restored, many in underserved neighborhoods in the Commonwealth's 51 cities. These parks provide a new or improved place for outdoor recreation for an anticipated 1 million visits per year, more than half of these to the newly created parks. In addition, of the acres conserved more than 14,000 have been pristine habitat within the ten Habitat Reserves among the best large natural landscapes left in the state.
In 2010, EEA actions resulted in the protection of 16,478 acres through 375 separate land and park projects. Expenditure of $53.2 million in state and federal funds on 215 projects protected 11,657 acres and created or renovated 34 parks through grants, fee purchases, and conservation and agricultural preservation restrictions. An additional 4,821 acres were preserved through 160 EEA approved conservation restrictions.
2010 Acres Preserved
Via Expenditure: 11,657
Via Restrictions: 4,821
TOTAL: 16,478
Full details of these statewide conservation achievements are available in the PDF of the 2010 Land Protection Report listed above. The report spotlights specific projects across the Commonwealth, describes agency-by-agency projects, and details historical land conservation data.
2009 Land Protection Report
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Fall 2009
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and its agencies took action to permanently protect 22,353 acres of land - the equivalent of 61 acres per day - in fiscal year 2009.
In 2009, the state expended $57.7 million on 217 conservation projects that protected 18,644 acres though a combination of grants, fee purchase, and conservation and agricultural preservation restrictions. An additional 3,029 acres were preserved through 147 conservation restrictions approved by EEA Secretary Ian Bowles and 680 acres via legislation and other means.
2009 Acres Preserved
Via Expenditure: 18,644
Via Restrictions: 3,029
Other: 680
TOTAL: 22,353
State-funded land conservation programs leverage significant additional investment in land protection by private land trusts and municipalities. In FY 2009, the Commonwealth's investment of $57.7 million was matched by $25 million from landowners, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and federal sources.
In August 2007, Governor Patrick made a historic commitment to land preservation, pledging at least $50 million annually - a 62 percent increase over yearly land protection spending during the previous four years, and a 34 percent increase over spending each year from 1999 to 2007. Primary funding for state land conservation programs comes from the $1.7 billion Energy and Environment Bond Bill passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Patrick in August 2008.
Full details of these statewide conservation achievements are available in the PDF and Word document versions of the 2009 Land Protection Report listed above. The report spotlights specific projects across the Commonwealth, describes agency-by-agency projects, and details historical land conservation data.
2008 Land Protection Report
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
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In August 2007, Governor Patrick made a historic commitment to land preservation, pledging at least $50 million annually - a 65 percent increase over yearly land protection spending during the previous four years, and 24 percent over spending each year from 1993 to 2003, adjusted for inflation. Primary funding for state land conservation programs comes from the $1.7 billion Energy and Environment Bond Bill passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Patrick in August 2008.
In 2008, the state expended $54.9 million on 223 conservation projects that protected 13,819acres though a combination of grants, fee purchase, and conservation and agricultural preservation restrictions. An additional 10,285 acres were preserved through 248 approved conservation restrictions approved by EEA Secretary Ian Bowles, the greatest number approved since the conservation restriction program began in 1967.
2008 Acres Preserved:
Via Expenditure: 13,189 Via Restrictions: 10,285 TOTAL: 24,104
State-funded land conservation programs leverage significant additional investment in land protection by private land trusts and municipalities. In FY 2008, the Commonwealth's investment of $54.9 million was matched by $32.2 million from landowners, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and federal sources.
Full details of these statewide conservation achievements are available in the PDF and Word document versions of the 2008 Land Protection Report listed above. The report spotlights specific projects across the Commonwealth, describes agency-by-agency projects, and details historical land conservation data.