Conservation Land Management and Open Space Strategy

Background
Richland County Council established the Richland County Conservation Commission (RCCC) in 1998 to safeguard the County’s diverse natural, historical, and cultural resources.

The RCCC, comprising 11 appointed members advocating for conservation efforts, aims to support sustainable growth and responsible development by identifying and protecting critical resources within the community.

The current project seeks to inventory and analyze existing conservation lands and open spaces in Richland County, including properties owned by the County for conservation, lands under conservation easements, and other significant green spaces. This initiative aligns with the County’s broader conservation goals and community values.

Work Details
The selected consultant will conduct a comprehensive inventory and analysis of Richland County’s conservation assets, partnership opportunities, and long-term open space strategies. Key objectives include:

1) Research, Data Collection & Analysis: Inventory existing open spaces, recreational facilities, conservation lands, and trails; identify enhancement opportunities;

2) Community & Stakeholder Engagement: Develop a stakeholder engagement plan including public workshops and a statistically valid survey;

3) Existing & Future Facilities Analysis: Analyze current service levels for open space and recreational facilities;

4) Prioritize Demand & Opportunities: Identify community needs for open space projects;

5) Final Plan Preparation: Synthesize findings into a final document for feedback from local authorities and stakeholders.

Deliverables include GIS maps, resource inventory reports, public engagement plans, action plans with timelines and cost estimates for priority projects.

Period of Performance
The contract's period of performance is not explicitly stated in the provided data.

Place of Performance
The contract will be performed in Richland County.