Public Benefit
All Green Space Projects provide public benefits, and when purchased by Beaufort County, provide public access.
Beaufort County Greenspace Program
About the Program
Learn about the importance of the Green Space Program, how it was established, its goals, and meet the Green Space Advisory Committee.
Why the Green Space Program Matters
Green Space Program Overview and Funding
In November 2022, Beaufort County voters approved a penny sales tax program to fund land conservation, creating the Beaufort County Green Space Program,
the first of its kind in the state.
Sales tax collection began in May 2023 and collected $100,000,000 over about two years to fund land protection in and around the County.
Land trusts, various government entities, and property owners may apply to the Green Space Program.
There are different eligible types of land protection projects, including:
conservation easements
purchase of lands for public access
farmland preservation for working timber and agricultural lands
natural and scenic corridor protections
existing planned unit development buy-downs
Each type of protection must meet specific criteria to apply to the program.
Green Space Program Goals
The mission of the Green Space Program is to protect natural and working landscapes to offset development pressures and benefit Beaufort County communities.
Lands can be protected for public use to provide new passive park opportunities. Private lands are also eligible for protection, providing public benefits like preserved water and air quality, protected viewsheds and wildlife habitat, reduced pressure on infrastructure, supported local agriculture and forestry economies, and maintained buffers from storm surge and tidal flooding.
The Green Space Program is unique in that it can protect lands outside of Beaufort County, as long as the impacts benefit our communities.
The Green Space Advisory Committee
Working alongside County staff, the Green Space Advisory Committee (GSAC) reviews applications and makes recommendations to County Council about which projects to pursue for public benefit.
The GSAC is composed of seven volunteer committee members, each representing particular regions and areas of interest:
Larry McElynn
2025-2029 Term
Sen. Tom Davis
2023-2025 Term
Mike McShane
2023-2025 Term
Member of County Council
Member of Beaufort County Legislative Delegation
Member knowledgeable about the geography and condition of Beaufort County lands
Tim Evans
2023-2027 Term
Peter Kristian
2023-2027 Term
Laurel Rhoten
2023-2027 Term
Carmen Avon-Manning
2023-2027 Term