Municipal Open Space Summit Agenda

Check in, enjoy coffee and light refreshments, and networking!

The Case for Space
Track: Getting Started
Bill Hartman, Trails & Open Space Planning Manager, Montgomery County Planning Commission
This session should help attendees understand the broad public benefits of acquiring and stewarding municipal open space. It makes the case for why open space deserves to be embraced as a key public policy goal, deserving of dedicated investment of public dollars. Stormwater, ecosystem services, public recreation, economic growth, savings on public expenses, and more. The goal is to persuade the receptive skeptics, while energizing and equipping people who are already convinced.

Legal Tools for Open Space
Track: Operating the Program
Justin Hollinger, Esq., Legal Director, WeConservePA
Kate Harper, Partner, Timoney Knox LLP
Providing an overview of the various legal mechanisms for municipalities to protect land, with or without dedicated tax funding: fee acquisitions, conservation easements, declarations of public trust, statutory and common law resale prohibitions, zoning controls, etc.

Open Space Referenda: When and Why?
Track: Getting Started
Andy Loza, Executive Director, WeConservePA – Moderator
Robert J. Kagel, Manager, Uwchlan Township
Sam Goodley Jr., Supervisor, East Nottingham Township
Laura Brown, Township Supervisor and Land Preservation Program Coordinator, Silver Spring Township
Moderated panel of municipal leaders from different geographies will discuss the circumstances that bring municipal leaders to pursue dedicated open space funding. What problems prompted referendum talks? How did these decisions unfold? Were these top-down or grassroots processes? What got the ball rolling, and how did leaders get buy-in from key stakeholders? Note: This session will actively punt on technical questions

Finding and Doing Good Deals
Track: Operating the Program
John Goodall, Senior Outreach Associate, Brandywine Conservancy
Justin Yaich, Township Manager, West Bradford Township
How do municipalities get from concept to closing? Speakers will explain approaches for laying the groundwork with landowner outreach and engagement, prioritizing opportunities, playing the long game, and more.

Catered buffet lunch for registered attendees, speakers and sponsors.

Andy Loza, Executive Director, WeConservePA
Danielle Guttman, Recreation and Conservation Advisor, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
The plenary will open with an overview of Pennsylvania’s open space, followed by an introduction to DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) and a series of brief presentations on topics of general interest. Share your story! WeConservePA seeks participants to deliver concise, 3-5 minute presentations during the plenary. A presentation may address any aspect of the planning, operation, and impacts of municipal open space protection efforts that you believe the audience will find interesting, instructive, or inspiring. Registrants are strongly encouraged to submit ideas during registration; however, they may submit them later by contacting Justin Hollinger at jhollinger@weconservepa.org.

The Run-Up – Planning for a Successful Open Space Referendum
Track: Getting Started
Kyle Rose, Director of Land Protection, Natural Lands
Kent Krauss, Supervisor, Lower Salford Township
You have the buy-in and the vision—now what? What does it take to plan a successful open space referendum? How can a municipality identify which essential tasks it can handle internally, and when to call for professional services?

Building Partnerships and Systems for Long-Term Program Success 
Track: Operating the Program
Dawn Gorham, Director of Land Preservation, Wildlands Conservancy – Moderator
Rich Pfifer,  Director of Property and Recreation, East Bradford Township
Kerry Reider, Open Space Coordinator/Assistant Zoning Officer, Bushkill Township
Judy Stern Goldstein, RLA, ASLA, Senior Project Manager, Gilmore & Associates, Inc.
Karl Russek, Conservation Director, French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust
This panel will explore how municipalities with active open space programs can ensure continuity over time. Subtopics should include staffing, systems, and land trust partnership.