Arizona Conservation Programs

Return to Programs

Federal data is complete from 1998-2017. State and local data is complete from 1998-2017. In the tables and charts below, acres are allocated to each program proportionate to the size of the contributions to each acquisition. For example, if an acquisition had two contributions, and each program contributed equal dollar amounts, each program receives 50% of the acres. If you have questions or want to provide updated information, please contact Jessica Welch at jessica.welch@tpl.org.

Profile of State Program(s)

Arizona Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition Grants Program: The Growing Smarter Act Grants Program conserves state trust lands in or around urban areas and other areas experiencing high growth pressures. The program was created in 1998 by voter approval as a part of the Growing Smarter Act. At that time voters authorized annual appropriations of $20 million to the Land Conservation Fund for eleven years (Proposition 303), beginning in 2001. Grants are awarded by the Arizona State Parks Board on a 50/50 matching basis to state agencies, political subdivisions, and non-profit organizations after a competitive application process. Beginning fiscal year 2012, only remaining monies in the Land Conservation Fund will be used for grant awards. No funding was received in FY 2012, 2013, or 2014. Between 2003 and 2005, no grants were awarded although annual appropriations were still being deposited. In 2010, voters defeated a measure (Proposition 301) that would have transferred $123.5 million the Growing Smarter Grants Program to the general fund. The measure was introduced in order to help balance the state budget. There has not been another vote to extend appropriations beyond 2012. In FY 2014, $708,800 remained in the fund available for grants. The Arizona Preserve Initiative was enacted in 1996 and uses some Growing Smarter grant funding to conserve select parcels of state trust land as open space that are located in and around urban areas. These parcels are petitioned for reclassification for conservation and subsequently leased or sold at public auction for that purpose.

Arizona Heritage Fund: Created by voter initiative in 1990, it is funded by lottery proceeds. The Arizona Heritage Fund supports natural areas and wildlife habitat conservation. The Heritage Fund may receive up to $10 million each year in lottery proceeds and funds are distributed to the Game and Fish Department to acquire property for wildlife areas, natural areas, public access, and habitat preservation. In addition to Heritage Funds, the Department may use a portion of tribal gaming revenue, internal funds, and state and federal grants to acquire land. The Original Statute for the Arizona Heritage Fund included funding for the acquisition of land through the Game and Fish Department as well as through Arizona State Parks. However, on March 18, 2010 the Budget Reconciliation Bill HB2012 was signed into law, redirecting the Arizona State Parks portion of state lottery proceeds after February 1, 2010 through the end of the fiscal year to the state General Fund. The bill also repealed the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund and returned any monies remaining in the Fund on June 30, 2011 to the state General Fund. The Game and Fish Commission Heritage Fund continues to receive funding of $10 million each fiscal year.

Arizona Game and Fish Commission: The Arizona Game and Fish Department receives $10 million annually from the Arizona Heritage Fund. Funding is derived from lottery proceeds and intended to acquire property for wildlife areas, natural areas, public access, and habitat preservation. The Department may also use a portion of tribal gaming revenue, internal funds, and state and federal grants to acquire land.

Arizona State Parks: With funding from the Growing Smarter Program and the Land Conservation Fund, the Arizona State Parks Board awards grants on a 50/50 matching basis to state agencies, political subdivisions, and non-profit organizations after a competitive application process. Beginning in 2001, voters authorized annual appropriations of $20 million to the Land Conservation Fund for eleven years (Proposition 303). Since fiscal year 2012, only remaining monies in the Land Conservation Fund may be used for grant awards. No funding was received in FY 2012, 2013, or 2014. Arizona State Parks originally received funding in part from the Arizona Heritage Fund. However, on March 18, 2010 the Budget Reconciliation Bill HB2012 was signed into law, redirecting the Arizona State Parks portion of state lottery proceeds after February 1, 2010 through the end of the fiscal year to the state General Fund. The bill also repealed the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund and returned any monies remaining in the Fund on June 30, 2011 to the state General Fund.

Substantial State Investment

The Heritage Fund, created by voter initiative in 1990 and funded by lottery proceeds, provides funding for the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund and the Arizona Game and Fish Commission Heritage Fund for conservation and protection of wildlife and natural areas. The original statue deposited up to $10 million each year for each fund, $20 million total in lottery proceeds. In March 2010, the Budget Reconciliation Bill HB2012 was signed into law, redirecting state lottery distributions originally intended for the Arizona State Parks Board Heritage Fund after February 1, 2010 through the end of the fiscal year to the state General Fund. The bill also repealed the Arizona State Parks Board Heritage Fund and reverted any monies remaining in the Fund on June 30, 2011 to the state General Fund. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission Heritage Fund was not repealed and continues to receive $10 million each fiscal year in lottery proceeds. For FY 2015, $400,000 remains for grants. The Growing Smarter Act Grants Program conserves state trust lands in or around urban areas and other areas experiencing high growth pressures. The program was created in 1998 by voter approval as a part of the Growing Smarter Act. At that time voters authorized annual appropriations of $20 million to the Land Conservation Fund for eleven years (Proposition 303), beginning in 2001. Grants are awarded by the Arizona State Parks Board on a 50/50 matching basis to state agencies, political subdivisions, and non-profit organizations after a competitive application process. Beginning fiscal year 2012, only remaining monies in the Land Conservation Fund will be used for grant awards. No funding was received in FY 2012, 2013, or 2014. From 2003 through 2011, Senate Bill 1071 authorized an annual $2 million, of the total $20 million, to be transferred to the Livestock and Crop Conservation Fund administered by the Department of Agriculture.

State Incentive for Local Conservation Funding

The Growing Smarter Act Grants Program, by providing matching grants to local governments, permits local governments to garner additional funds to develop local conservation programs and acquire land locally.

Local Financing Enabled

Counties and municipalities in Arizona have funded land acquisition for parks and open space through a number of funding mechanisms. Common funding sources include general obligation bonds, the property tax, the sales tax, and the creation of special districts with the ability to levy taxes and issue bonds. Each of these funding mechanisms require approval by the electorate and, in various communities in Arizona, they have enjoyed widespread support. Arizona also provides specific authority to counties and municipalities for the levy of excise taxes for the purchase of open space, parks, and development rights. Counties and municipalities may issue bonds for any lawful or necessary purpose, including the acquisition of open space.

Local Programs Included

Local conservation programs tracked in the Conservation Almanac include:

  • Coconino County, AZ
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Pima County, AZ
  • Scottsdale, AZ

Visit www.landvote.org for detailed information on these programs.

Federal Partnerships

Federal agencies and programs that have conserved land in Arizona include:

  • U.S. Bureau of Land Management
  • U.S. Bureau of Land Management – Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – North American Wetlands Conservation Grant (NAWCA)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Section 6 Grant
  • U.S. Forest Service
  • U.S. Forest Service – Forest Legacy Program (FLP)
  • U.S. National Park Service
  • U.S. National Park Service – LWCF Stateside
  • U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)
  • U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
  • U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
Report Table
Dollar Chart by Year
Acre Chart by Year