Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
5 <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 /> Part of a state and regional effort to protect 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 /> Most recently, Orange County is an active partner in the Eno-New Hope Landscape <br /> Conservation group collaborating to identify high-priority landscape corridors that connect a <br /> network of critical wildlife habitats in a four county region. <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 /> Still important to conserve land? <br /> Through Lands Legacy, Orange County has madeY' <br /> long-term investments in preserving certain precious <br /> natural and cultural heritage sites—part of the <br /> County's foundation for maintaining a vibrant <br /> quality of life. While many important lands have <br /> been conserved, this amounts to just over 1% of the , <br /> county's land area. Having seen a 3.1 percent <br /> increase in population for a total of 160,411 <br /> residents in 2021, the county is projected to increase <br /> an additional 16 percent by the year 2030 (191,391)1. <br /> With two major interstate highways running through the county's midsection, the protection of <br /> these assets will reap countless benefits in the future. Those assets include our"green <br /> infrastructure" a web of natural green space, vital for wildlife corridors, recreational trails, and <br /> protecting the many rivers and 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 local farmers recapitalize their farms with an <br /> infusion of funds and an opportunity to diversify their products to meet the demands of the <br /> strong local food movement—all without reducing the local tax base2. <br /> Source:"Orange County Population Projections,2000-2023",Office of State Budget,Planning and Management:State Demographics 2001. <br /> z Local property taxes were unaffected because the farms were already enrolled in the present use value program;more than half of the funds <br /> used to purchase easements were from state/federal grants and landowner donations. <br /> 2 <br />