166 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



that government purchase was the only solution which had ever 

 worked. 



In this day of big government and big corporations, it sometimes 

 seems that the individual has become superfluous, and the great 

 engines of government and corporations will replace him. But our 

 project created a place for the individual. I am proud to report 

 that the owners of 120 parcels of land have voluntarily donated 

 scenic easements on their own properties to make the project possible. 



This is the greatest joining together of private, foundation, and 

 governmental effort in such an undertaking. 



In recognition of the generosity of private landowners' contri- 

 butions, the State of Maryland has pioneered tax reform legislation 

 to encourage donation of easements. To make this possible, it was 

 necessary to amend the State constitution, pass statewide policy legis- 

 lation, and then to amend the State Tax Code, and ultimately to 

 change the county codes. But this model tax reform which brings 

 local tax and natural beauty policies into harmony, is now well on 

 its way to completion, for all to examine. 



Our task is far from finished. But we have explored some exciting 

 new roads. The inquiries which come to us from many States in our 

 Union, and from foreign lands, show the rising interests in these 

 new looks of preservation, and the part the individual can play. 

 The officials of the executive departments, who jeered at our efforts, 

 now cheerfully follow the path. 



I have often felt there will never be enough money in the public 

 treasury to do all that is necessary for preservation and conservation 

 of natural beauty. But there is no limit to what imaginative pro- 

 grams utilizing new approaches to public and private cooperation 

 can do. 



The experience of our first decade is heartening proof of this belief. 



Because we had a problem which could not be solved by existing 

 methods and could not wait, we had to pioneer some of these new 

 techniques of preservation. We have made only a beginning. 



The next step is clear. This White House conference must now 

 call for a major effort to develop the tremendous potential locked 

 up in new types of public-private cooperation. Through this effort, 

 we can, and will, evolve new and better tools for preservation and 

 conservation, on a much broader base. 



We of the Accokeek Foundation are ready to help to the best of 

 our ability if you do your part. 



