Ed McMahon, The Conservation Fund
Not Just an Amenity:
Repositioning Land Conservation in the Public Officials Mind
A key challenge for conservationists is to change the minds of
public leaders who view open space as an optional amenity.
Ed McMahon, a nationally-acclaimed author and speaker
on land conservation and green
infrastructure will talk about the challenge of helping officials
see open space as an economic and environmental necessity. His talk
will cover the economic benefits of conservation, intriguing public
attitudes, strategic conservation, and examples of great successes.
Mr. McMahon is Vice President and Director of Land Use Planning
for The Conservation Fund,
where he works to improve both conservation and development practices
through programs that balance economic and environmental goals.
He has written ten books and over 150 articles, and contributes
a regular column to the Planning Commissioners Journal. Over the
past 15 years Mr. McMahon has drafted numerous local land use plans
and ordinances. He has organized successful efforts to acquire and
protect urban parkland, wilderness areas and other conservation
properties. He is the co-founder and former President of Scenic
America, a national non-profit organization devoted to protecting
Americas scenic landscapes. He has an M.A. in Urban Studies
from the University of Alabama and a J.D. from Georgetown University
Law School where he taught law and public policy.
Ive never forgotten the evening that you spoke
in Chestertown. That evening forever changed the way I now make
choices and you would be proud of the towns achievements
since that time.
Margo Bailey, Mayor of Chestertown, MD
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