To avoid double counting acres where multiple programs contributed to the acquisition of a single parcel, the parcel acreage is only aggregated under the program that provided the majority of funding. For example, if the chart displays a dollar amount greater than $0, but also shows 0 acres, it is because the program was not the primary contributor for any parcels in that year.
Local Conservation Programs Include
City of Scottsdale
Coconino County
City of Glendale
City of Phoenix
Pima County
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 4,659.0 | $95,605,840 |
| 1999 | 951.7 | $49,014,993 |
| 2000 | 611.7 | $28,098,964 |
| 2001 | 572.1 | $21,663,094 |
| 2002 | 2,078.3 | $45,491,412 |
| 2003 | 345.7 | $24,325,618 |
| 2004 | 7,914.9 | $31,292,975 |
| 2005 | 13,553.4 | $36,996,827 |
| 2006 | 4,533.4 | $38,501,531 |
| 2007 | 1,416.7 | $72,308,436 |
| 2008 | 7,673.9 | $158,405,705 |
| Totals | 44,310.7 | $601,705,395 |
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 by voter approval as part of the Growing Smarter Act in 1999. At that time it authorized annual appropriations of $20 million for eleven years, beginning in 2001. However $2 million of this is transferred to the Livestock and Crop Conservation Fund. Grants are awarded on a 50/50 matching basis to state agencies, political subdivisions, and non-profit organizations after a competitive application process. Between 2003 and 2005, no grants were awarded.
o Arizona Preserve Initiative - Enacted in 1996, the Arizona Preserve Initiative conserves 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. Some funding is made available for these lands through the Growing Smarter Act Grants Program.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,306.0 | $11,072,389 |
| 2001 | 181.0 | $1,924,085 |
| 2002 | 0.0 | $6,262,088 |
| 2003 | 90.0 | $1,314,562 |
| 2007 | 0.0 | $38,501,531 |
| 2008 | 320.0 | $28,725,141 |
| Total | 1,897.0 | $87,799,796 |
Created by voter initiative in 1990 and funded by lottery proceeds, the Heritage Fund provides competitive grants for natural areas and wildlife habitat conservation. The Heritage Fund may receive up to $10 million each year in lottery proceeds. 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 acquisitions negotiated by the department are funded with a portion of monies from tribal gaming revenue, internal funds, and state and federal grants.
Original Statute for the Arizona Heritage Fund included funding for the acquisition of land through Arizona state parks. However, on March 18, 2010 the Budget Reconciliation Bill HB2012 was signed into law, redirecting state lottery distributions to the Arizona State Parks 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 Heritage Fund and reverts any monies remaining in the Fund on June 30, 2011 to the state General Fund.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 715.0 | $332,231 |
| 1999 | 22,844.0 | $1,824,300 |
| 2000 | 1,137.0 | $2,292,640 |
| 2001 | 2,245.0 | $471,906 |
| 2002 | 302.3 | $1,671,500 |
| 2003 | 0.5 | $10,000 |
| 2004 | 2,685.8 | $1,747,914 |
| 2006 | 883.8 | $1,765,000 |
| 2007 | 1,591.9 | $1,593,450 |
| 2008 | 1,487.4 | $18,775,108 |
| Total | 33,892.7 | $30,484,049 |