Growing Smarter Grants

Arizona Growing Smarter Grant Programs

Skip Rimsza, Mayor of Phoenix and Andrea Madonna, Chief of Grants	Phoenix Sonoran Preserve
Andrea Madonna, Skip Rimsza, and Mark Winkleman, State Land Commissioner

Grant Program Overview

The Growing Smarter Act consists of a number of statutory changes designed, "to further the best interests of our citizens by protecting our natural heritage and wisely managing the growth of our communities." The Growing Smarter Grants programs, administered by Arizona State Parks with monies from the state Land Conservation Fund, were established through this act.

Land Acquisition Grants
Proposition 303, passed by Arizona voters in November, 1998, provides $20 million per year for eleven years, beginning in state fiscal year 2001, to award grants for the acquisition of State Trust Lands. The goal of these grants is "to conserve open spaces in or near urban areas and other areas experiencing high growth pressures." Conservation may occur through permanent or temporary acquisitions, such as leases of up to 50 years in length, purchases of a parcel's development rights, or "fee simple" purchase of a parcel. Grants may be made by the Arizona State Parks Board for up to 50% of the appraised value of a land parcel. Eligible applicants defined in state law are:

1. State Agencies;
2. Political Subdivisions of the State, defined per A.R.S. § 38-431, and including without limitation all:
   • Counties,
   • Incorporated Cities or Towns,
   • School Districts,
   • Special Districts; and
3. Non-Profit organizations that are exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and that have the purpose of preserving open space.

Lands Eligible for Acquisition
Lands eligible for acquisition through this program are defined in statute and this process is handled by the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD), as authorized by the Arizona Preserve Initiative. On petition, the State Land Commissioner may reclassify lands as suitable for conservation. Once reclassified, the lands may be acquired from the ASLD at public auction. For more information regarding the process of reclassifying State Trust Lands, you may click on the icon below to access the ASLD website.

Conservation-Based Management Alternatives
The Growing Smarter Act also authorizes the Arizona State Parks Board to award grants, that do not require matching funds, "to individual landowners or grazing or agricultural lessees of state or federal land who contract with the Parks Board to implement conservation-based management alternatives using livestock or crop production practices, or reduce livestock or crop production, to provide wildlife habitat or other public benefits that preserve open space." The amount of grants for this purpose may not exceed 10% of the monies in the Public Conservation Account in any fiscal year.

As of September 2003, the administration of this program is conducted by the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

Conservation Acquisition Board
The Growing Smarter Act established the Conservation Acquisition Board (CAB) to oversee these grant programs by soliciting donations, consulting with entities such as private land trusts, state land lessees, the Arizona State Land Department, the Arizona State Parks Board and other to identify conservation areas that are reclassified pursuant to A.R.S.§ 37-312, and recommending to the Arizona State Parks Board appropriate grants from the land conservation fund.

Members of this advisory board are appointed by the Governor for staggered terms of five years. Membership must include the following individuals, at least one of whom must be experienced in soliciting money from private sources:

• One state land lessee.
• One member who is qualified by experience in managing large holdings of private land for income production or conservation purposes.
• One member of the state bar of Arizona who is experienced in the practice of private real estate law.
• One real estate appraiser who is licensed or certified under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 36.
• One member who is qualified by experience in marketing real estate.
• One representative of a conservation organization.
• One representative of a state public educational institution.

Download Fact Sheets

• Land Conservation Fund Revenue Stream
• Arizona Preserve Initiative and Growing Smarter Grants Background Information
• Summary of the Growing Smarter Land Acquisition Grant Process

(You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, available at http://www.adobe.com to download and view the forms and fact sheets.)

For more information about the process to reclassify State Trust Lands, click on the following connection to the Arizona State Land Department: www.land.state.az.us