About the Program
Overview and funding, program goals, and the Green Space Advisory Committee
Green Space Program Overview and Funding
In November 2022, Beaufort County voters approved a penny sales tax to fund land conservation, setting the foundation for the Beaufort County Green Space Program.
The County was the first in the state to adopt the program, continuing its leadership in land conservation efforts.
Sales tax collection began in May 2023 and ended in February of 2025. In just under two years the program goal of $100 million was collected to fund land protection.
Qualified land trusts, various government entities, and property owners may apply to the Green Space Program.
The program focuses its efforts on the following preservation procurement types:
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 preservation type must meet specific criteria when applying to the program.
Green Space Program Goals
The primary goals of the Green Space Program are
- Protect the natural environment and preserve air and water quality
- Support local agriculture and forestry economies
- Offset land development pressures and reduce the need for costly infrastructure
- Provide lands for passive recreation and enhance resilience for a changing environment
- Implement adopted land use planning policies and coordinate long range goals with other government entities
- Preserve the area’s natural beauty and increase the overall well-being for citizens and visitors who cherish what makes this area special
Equitable and Transparent
Distributing Green Space funds equitably throughout the County
Maximizing Value
Leveraging funds and partnerships to make the most of taxpayer dollars
Public Benefit
Avoiding adverse regional, economic, environmental, and service demand impacts
Supported Rural Economies
Preserving the County’s rural landscapes, farmland soils, and way of life
Connectivity
Connecting protected lands, corridors, and pathways
Public Access
Investing in open space and passive recreation
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 with County staff, the Green Space Advisory Committee (GSAC) is responsible for reviewing and recommending to County Council lands to be acquired based on the adopted program criteria and overarching goals.
As required by State statute, the Green Space Advisory Committee is composed of seven members who are appointed by County Council. Each member, representing an area of interest or a particular geographic region within Beaufort County, has extensive knowledge of land preservation and together are a great working group.
Larry McElynn
County Council Member
2025-2029 Term
Mike McShane
Lands Expert Member
2025-2029 Term
Sen. Tom Davis
Legislative Delegation Member
2025-2029 Term
Tim Evans
Northern Region Member
2023-2027 Term
Laurel Rhoten
Eastern Region Member
2023-2027 Term
Peter Kristian
Southern Region Member
2023-2027 Term
Carmen Manning
Western Region Member
2023-2027 Term