Conservation

Conservation Development

What is Conservation Development?

Conversation development is a method of developing land for housing in a way that preserves open space for future generations. Typically, it involves building homes in groups with smaller lot sizes, protecting natural features and open space for use by all the residents.

Why is it important?

Conservation development offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the land's regional character. Whether hill country, prairie or coastal plain, this approach to land development is appropriate because it preserves the unique local flora and fauna. Conservation development is a way to show that humans can work with the rest of nature to achieve their own goals without compromising a healthy ecology.

Resources:

(To receive updates on Conservation Development resources and the Symposia, please click here.)

Publications by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center:

• Conservation Development in Texas
• Conservation Development White Paper

Other resources:

Books:

Growing Greener: Putting Conservation into Local Plans and Ordinances

Conservation Design for Subdivisions

The Practice of Sustainable Development
Articles:

Conservation Based Affordable Housing: Improving the Nature of Affordable Housing

Flawed Processes, Flawed Results, and a Potential Solution

Greenfield Development Without Sprawl
Ordinances:

Travis County (proposed draft)

City of Dripping Springs (adopted)
Websites:

NCAT's Smart Communities Network

LandChoices

Greener Prospects
News:

Save as we Pave?

Sprawl Ain't All