Greetings Land for Tomorrow partners -

The Land & Water Conservation Commission, created and appointed by the 2006 General Assembly and the Governor, will hold three public meetings in early January (for dates and times of the meetings and for background about the Commission, see below).

These public meetings are a great time to show legislators that we North Carolinians think that conservation is a critical issue for the state's future. For the decision makers to hear this message, the public meetings should be brimming over with supporters of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, etc.

Your role as a partner in this campaign is integral to getting the word out! Here are some things you should do:

send the announcement (below) to your email lists

print the announcement in any publications you may have coming out between now and January 4

add the action alert to your homepage, which is a "tell a friend" invitation that your supporters can pass on from person to person

put the dates on your calendar and commit to attending at least one of these meetings

tell your press contacts about the meeting nearest them

The meetings are on January 4, 8, and 10 - that doesn't leave a lot of time. Please do your part now!

Your work brings us one step closer to the $$$$$$$ for conservation of our rivers, streams, farms, forests, parks, historic properties, and other places that matter.

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DRAFT EMAIL TO SEND TO YOUR EMAIL LISTS:

On the evenings of January 4, 8, and 10, the Land and Water Conservation Commission, created and appointed by North Carolina's General Assembly and the Governor, will hold its public meetings. At these meetings, the Commission members will present their draft recommendations, and you, the public, can then comment.

These public meetings are the perfecttime to show legislators that we North Carolinians think that conservation is a critical issue for the state's future.

ASHEVILLE: Thursday, January 4, 2007- 7pm - Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Laurel Building, Ferguson Auditorium, 340 Victoria Rd., Asheville

GREENVILLE: Monday, January 8, 2007 - 7pm - Pitt Community College, Leslie Building, Room 143, 1986 Pitt Tech Rd., Winterville 28590

GREENSBORO: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 - 7pm- Guilford Technical College, Auditorium, 601 High Point Rd., Jamestown

Attending the meeting does not mean that you must speak, but if you choose to, you should talk from your heart (for no more than 2 minutes) about why more funding for conservation matters personally and professionally. It is *definitely* not necessary to be an expert.

Your presence will have an impact: after hearing from the public, the Commission will refine their recommendations and present them to the 2007 General Assembly.

Pass this email on and tell your friends and colleagues to come along with you!

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SUMMARY UPDATE ON STATUS OF LAND FOR TOMORROW

In the short session of the 2006 General Assembly, a bill was introduced to dramatically increase funding for land and water conservation, and for historic preservation. That bill was asking for a bond referendum to be placed on the November 2006 ballot for $1 billion to be distributed to the state’s existing conservation trust funds. The bill did not move in the short session because the Governor was concerned about the state taking on additional debt, although 75 house members and 23 senators co-sponsored the bill. At the close of the 2006 short session, the General Assembly and the Governor created the Land & Water Conservation Commission, charged with making recommendations to the 2007 General Assembly concerning how to pay for this increase in funding.

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Marge Anders Limbert
Outreach Coordinator

(919) 489-8129 (Phone)

(919) 452-1450 (Cell)
(919) 403-0379 (Fax)

Land for Tomorrow
4705 University Drive
Suite 290
Durham, NC 27707