The Houston-Galveston region boasts unparalleled natural areas that help mitigate flooding, improve air quality, and make the region a more attractive place to live, work, and visit. Conserving these resources will be an increasing challenge as the region adds an expected 4 million people and 120 square miles of new development over the next 25 years.

During 2020, H-GAC has been working with local governments and other stakeholders to create a Regional Conservation Framework that will:

• Identify shared conservation priorities and challenges

• Funding mechanisms

• Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships
  

To ensure the Regional Conservation Framework reflects the region’s values and to form a baseline for discussion and future recommendations, staff conducted 10 listening sessions with local government representatives in all 13 counties.

Input received in these discussions, along with results of two on-line surveys and a meeting with non-governmental organizations will be used to identify initiatives and strategies that H-GAC and its member governments can use to voluntarily preserve natural landscapes and expand the impact of local conservation efforts currently underway.

Staff will present an overview of the Regional Conservation Framework's key elements and next steps at this meeting. A final document will be provided for the Board's consideration in early 2021.

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No action requested. For information only. (Staff Contact: Jeff Taebel)