Washington, D.C. – One of House’s most vocal champions for preserving land conservation, Congresswoman Representative Allyson Schwartz, was honored this week for her leadership on open space policies.

“America’s open spaces are one of the most strongly defining characteristics of our nation. We all recognize that open space plays a pivotal role in not only the protection of our environment, but in bolstering property values, increasing tourism, and in strengthening communities, but every year America loses two million acres of land to development. Congress has a responsibility to be a global leader in environmental protection and open space protection, and I pledge to continuing championing efforts to preserve open space,” said Congresswoman Schwartz.

Although most land use decisions are made at the local and state level, Congress maintains a significant voice on this issue, in particular by the use of the tax code to provide incentives to conserve open space. Schwartz has led several successful efforts to push for extensions of tax deductions for conservation easements. These tax deductions are a crucial tool for conserving open space in Pennsylvania, more than 139,000 acres of private property is protected under conservation easements. These easements are preserving forests, farms, and wetlands across the Commonwealth.

At a reception held earlier this week, Schwartz was honored by the Land Trust Alliance. The Land Trust Alliance promotes voluntary private land conservation to benefit communities and natural systems. The organization is the national convener, strategist and representative of more than 1,600 land trusts across America and is the only organization dedicated to the effectiveness and sustainability of the nation's land trusts and their use of conservation easements.

Schwartz was presented the honor by Rand Wentworth, president of the Land Trust Alliance. The award recognizes a national commitment to saving America’s treasured landscapes.

 “The renewed tax incentive for donations of conservation easements is one of the best things Congress could do this year to help landowners choose conservation over sprawl,” said Wentworth. “Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz is a true conservation leader who used her seat on the House Ways & Means Committee to help save a conservation measure that has already had benefits in hundreds of communities across the country.”

Southeastern Pennsylvania open space advocate, Dulcie F. Flaharty, executive director of the Montgomery County Lands Trust, also praised Schwartz’s efforts in preserving open space.

“We are sincerely appreciative to Congresswoman Schwartz. She is an enthusiastic and well-informed ally, who recognizes the substantial land protection benefits this conservation easement incentive legislation brings to the citizens she serves,” said Flaharty.

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