53. A National Model for Land Preservation: The Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve with Caroline Taylor

Where can you find nearly one hundred thousand acres of land protected for food and outdoor recreation this close to a metropolitan area? Not many, except for Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve. It is the hidden gem of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, as it continues to provide economic services, food resilience networks, and environmental services for the region. It has also been heralded as one of the best examples of land conservation policies in the country, and encompasses almost a third of the county’s natural resources.   Caroline Taylor, today’s guest and executive director of the non -profit organization Montgomery Countryside Alliance, shares with us the potential of the Ag Reserve in local food production, climate change mitigation and as a resource for people to experience and enjoy natural spaces. The Agricultural Reserve has also served to inform and influence the formation of land-use policies across the country, and has helped to shape the United States’ suburban landscape in a positive way .  According to Caroline, more connection with nature and relationship to our open spaces will lead to increased general wellness, awareness and momentum in seeking meaningful solutions to climate change. Curious to find out more? Join us on this week’s episode to learn all about the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, a national model in land use planning for a sustainable future.   Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Simplecast, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Environmental stewardship and creating preservation goals Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve Producing food within the urban and suburban footprint Preservation programs and competing interests Regenerative solutions to combat climate change Resources Mentioned: Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve Montgomery Countryside Alliance Washington DC Defenders of Wildlife Guest Info Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn. Follow Us: Our Website Instagram