About the Program
Learn about how the program was established, program goals, and meet 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, creating the Beaufort County Green Space Program,
the first program
of its kind in the state.
Sales tax collection began in May 2023. In just two years, $100,000,000 was collected 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.
Equitable and Transparent
Dispersing Green Space funds evenly throughout the County
Maximized Value
Leveraging 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 and ways 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 Council lands to be acquired based on the adopted program criteria and to perform such other duties as may be assigned by county Council. They advise Council on which projects to pursue for public benefit.
The GSAC is composed of seven Council-appointed committee members who have extensive knowledge of land preservation and together make up a great working group. Each member represents a particular region or area of interest.
Larry McElynn
County Council
2025-2029 Term
Sen. Tom Davis
Legislative Delegation
2025-2029 Term
Mike McShane
County Lands Expert
2025-2029 Term
Tim Evans
Northern Region
2023-2027 Term
Laurel Rhoten
Eastern Region
2023-2027 Term
Peter Kristian
Southern Region
2023-2027 Term
Carmen Avon Manning
Western Region
2023-2027 Term