Throughout the 1980’s, land development and tourism in San Juan County were on the rise; the population was rapidly growing. Facing the loss of places they loved, a diverse group of locals sought a way to save treasured lands and maintain quality of life.
Their vision led to the creation of the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank. In 1990, San Juan County voters approved funding for the Conservation Land Bank through a one-time 1% real estate excise tax paid by purchasers of property at closing. (San Juan County Ordinance: Chapter 2.120, Citizens Conservation Land Bank). In this way the community could protect those special places that brought them here. For over 30 years the Land Bank, guided by local input, has been conserving exceptional places in the County.
