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4 <br /> Over time the price of land has risen steadily in this region, and after the recent economic <br /> slowdown,prices are expected to begin to rise again. Some of the land the County purchased <br /> through Lands Legacy is"land banked" for identified future parks. In the meantime,that land is <br /> in stewardship, with much of it in use for agricultural production through temporary <br /> arrangements with nearby farmers. <br /> a state and regional effort of g ff ort to p rotect vital resources <br /> Lands Legacy is part of a statewide effort to identify the most important resource lands and to <br /> distinguish them from areas more suitable for future development. Orange County was an active <br /> participant in the Triangle Greenprint and One NC Naturally,and is working with <br /> neighboring jurisdictions to extend the Mountains-to-Sea Trail through the central Piedmont. <br /> An award winning program <br /> Lands Legacy has been recognized for its successful efforts. In 2007 Orange County received <br /> the national Excellence in County Planning Award from the National Association of County <br /> Planners. The program was also twice runner-up for the national County Leadership in <br /> Conservation Award by the National Association of Counties and Trust for Public Land. In <br /> 2003 the Conservation Trust for NC recognized Orange and Durham counties with the <br /> Government Partner Conservation Award for joint establishment of Little River Regional Park. <br /> And in 2007,the NC Soil&Water Conservation Society awarded Orange County the Local <br /> Government Conservationist Award. <br /> . ;,, ` A,�,d;� 1 <br /> Still important to conserve land? `' ° '" <br /> Through Lands Legacy, Oran e County has s > J� ~ tai` ` ; <br /> g g Y � _ � ._ �- � <br /> made long-term investments in preserving its �`" <br /> precious natural and cultural heritage—part '7'" `� �3 `.1`3 4 t <br /> of the county's foundation for maintaining a 1` <br /> vibrant quality of life. With the Triangle <br /> Region expecting another 400,000 residents <br /> by 20151, and two interstate highways <br /> running through the county's midsection,the <br /> protection of these assets will reap countless <br /> benefits in the future. Those assets include <br /> our"green infrastructure"—a web of natural <br /> green space,vital for wildlife corridors, recreational trails, and protecting the many rivers and <br /> streams that supply our drinking water. <br /> Another critical part of that resource base is the county's prime farmland, a major part of the <br /> local economy. Lands Legacy has responded to the agricultural community's interest in <br /> preserving farmland,and in doing so helped to recapitalize participating farms with an infusion <br /> of funds and an opportunity to diversify their products to meet the demands of the strong local <br /> food movement—all without reducing the local tax base2. <br /> Finally,many important historic and archaeological sites,part of our cultural heritage that <br /> contributes to tourism, are being lost due to lack of information and adequate safeguards, and <br /> over 40 percent of the County's most important natural heritage areas remain unprotected. <br /> 1 By 2015 the Triangle Region's population is expected to increase from 2.05 million(2010)to 2.4 million people <br /> (Source: Source:U.S.Bureau of the Census,2000 Census of Population.Esri forecasts for 2010 and 2015) <br /> 2 Local property taxes were unaffected because the farms were already enrolled in the present use value program; <br /> more than half of the funds used to purchase easements were from state/federal grants and landowner donations. <br /> 2 <br />