The Wet Mountain Valley is a large open valley stretching from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the Wet Mountains in Colorado's south-central Custer County. As in most rapidly growing western counties, many of the working ranches are threatened by development pressure. The story of Custer County illustrates how a shared vision for ranchland and heritage conservation can be achieved by working collaboratively. A community visioning process led by the Sonoran Institute in 1999 compelled the community to make protecting the agricultural and cultural heritage a priority. In partnership with Trust for Public Land, they established the Wet Mountain Valley Ranchland Preservation Program (WMVRPP). The goal of WMVRPP is to place conservation easements on more than 10,000 acres of land in the northern half of Wet Mountain Valley and 15,000 to 20,000 in the southern half utilizing voluntary conservation easements.

To support their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the Gila River Indian Reservation applied for a Climate Showcase Communities Grant, a program launched by the EPA in 2009 to assist local and tribal governments in establishing and implementing climate change initiatives. The EPA offers peer exchange, training, and technical support to its grant recipients and encourages other municipalities to replicate these programs in their own communities. The Gila River Indian Community submitted a proposal to reduce the GHG emissions through the development of an innovative climate projects coordination structure. Highlights include implementing a recycling program, focusing on renewable energy, and promoting green building.

The flood hazard areas of Yavapai County, including lands that border the Verde River, are highly susceptible to periodic flooding, which has endangered residents and caused damage to businesses and homes. During the winter of 2004-2005, the Verde River flooded four times, yet the homes situated along the river escaped serious damage. This is attributed to a Yavapai County requirement that homes built in the Verdi River's floodplain must be elevated at least one foot above the basement level. Although the rising water entered some of the lower-level crawlspaces, no flooding was reported in the living areas of these homes.

Park County, population 15,636, covers 1.7 million acres in south-central Montana, bordered by Yellowstone National Park to the south. The county seat is Livingston, home to 7,000 residents. Other towns include rural communities and gateways to Yellowstone.

Sheridan County, a rural community nestled within the Bighorn Mountains in Northern Wyoming, is known for having some of the best grazing and agricultural lands in the state, but the County also contains a lucrative commodity, coal. Since 1973, Sheridan County has been facing challenges planning for the region's coal production interests while at the same time protecting agricultural and grazing land. When a massive coal mining operation moved into the area and the county began to experience unprecedented population growth, a land planning effort unlike anything seen before began in earnest. Sheridan County consulted with the Sonoran Institute to develop a comprehensive plan to protect the regions' agricultural and grazing land from coalmines, methane wells, and subdivision developments.

Historic overlay districts provide a municipality with the means to protect historic areas and structures. They offer the flexibility of historic protection and preservation without the need for approval of the affected landowners through a community election. Normally, historic overlay districts simply require passage by a city council or county commission.

The Sonoran Institute has long been involved in the area of state trust land conservation and efforts to effectively manage the assets on behalf of the beneficiaries, primarily k-12 public education. With funding from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and in collaboration with conservation groups, municipalities, and counties across Arizona, the Sonoran Institute has assembled state trust lands suitable for conservation into a single database. The resulting profiles focus solely on conservation values.

Jefferson County is typical of many places in western Montana, with beautiful rivers and mountains, small towns, abundant fish and wildlife, and an economy based on agriculture, mining, tourism, small business, and government employment. It is also one of the fastest growing counties in Montana and its citizens are concerned with preserving their community identity and agricultural economy in the face of changing land use. Some of these citizens set an ambitious land conservation goal by establishing the citizen-initiated Milligan Canyon – Boulder Valley Zoning District.

The Wet Mountain Valley is a large open valley stretching from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the Wet Mountains in Colorado's south-central Custer County. As in most rapidly growing western counties, many of the working ranches are threatened by development pressure. The story of Custer County illustrates how a shared vision for ranchland and heritage conservation can be achieved by working collaboratively. A community visioning process led by the Sonoran Institute in 1999 compelled the community to make protecting the agricultural and cultural heritage a priority. In partnership with Trust for Public Land, they established the Wet Mountain Valley Ranchland Preservation Program (WMVRPP). The goal of WMVRPP is to place conservation easements on more than 10,000 acres of land in the northern half of Wet Mountain Valley and 15,000 to 20,000 in the southern half utilizing voluntary conservation easements.

Most county right-to-farm ordinances have similar contents. A few ordinances provide a formal grievance procedure, but the four major provisions are common:

Chouteau County in north-central Montana is predominantly rural. Of about 6,000 county residents, 1,600 live in the county seat of Fort Benton. The Missouri River running through Choteau County was designated "Wild" and "Scenic" in 1976 by National Wild and Scenic Rivers. In 2001, it was named part of the Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument in 2001. These special designations raised concerns among residents that excessive tourism would lead to rapid development along the river.

Mesa County, on the far western edge of the state of Colorado, is named for Grand Mesa, the largest flat-topped mountain mesa on the planet. Its population is a little over 145,000 residents, with Grand Junction as the county seat and the most populous city. Mesa County, with its mild climate and location within a large river valley, is known for its agricultural production.

Urban agriculture has many different facets of expression from comprehensive initiatives that regulate farming practices, to prioritization of land uses. The Urban Agriculture case study presented here focuses on allowing city residents to raise chickens. The average item of food in the U.S. travels 1,400 miles to the dinner table; urban agriculture ordinances have the capacity to reduce the vehicle miles traveled associated with food production and delivery, which in turn can reduce green house gas emissions. These ordinances can improve residents' health by providing them the opportunity to have more oversight over their food choices and the food supply chain. Other benefits to chicken raising ordinances:

Many rural communities avoid cumbersome and/or burdensome regulatory policies. However, in most cases, a clearly articulated policy can provide more predictability than a vaguely stated goal. Madison is one of the few Montana counties to have adopted subdivision review criteria that protect fish and wildlife habitat. When the subdivision regulations were updated in 2006, wildlife protection was included in the General Design and Development Standards. The standards state specific mitigation measures that may be required where a proposed subdivision would adversely affect fish or wildlife.

In September 2012, the Morongo Basic Open Space Group, in association with the Sonoran Institute, released the "Morongo Basin Conservation Priorities Report: A Strategy for Preserving Conservation Values". The development of this report brought a diversity of planning partners to the table over a multi-year time frame to map and identify areas for conservation action that will support local conservation values and provide room for local communities to grow and recreate. Encompassing 1,400 square miles in the Mohave Desert in California, this basin contains two incorporated communities and a fraction of the county of San Bernardino, the largest county in the contiguous United States. Conservation planning for this richly varied landscape with a strong sense of place has been undertaken since 2006 by a collaborative regional conservation planning group known as the Morongo Basin Open Space Group.

The purpose of the Model Desert Wildlife Connectivity and Habitat Overlay Ordinance is to assist local jurisdictions in the Morongo Basin and other desert communities in protecting natural landscapes and wildlife habitat corridors, the boundaries of which do not necessarily follow the boundaries of existing zoning districts. This Model Overlay Ordinance does not propose to change the existing permitted uses or development densities within a jurisdiction's zoning districts. Rather, it sets forth design standards, construction requirements, best practices, and incentives to minimize habitat disturbance and reduce land fragmentation that results in adverse impacts to connectivity and habitat for treasured native desert species.

Energy efficiency and conservation practices encompass many processes that build a more sustainable community in terms of enhanced air quality, natural resource protection, and greenhouse gas reductions. However, implementing energy programs takes political will that may not be present in every community. Twin Falls County, Idaho has taken steps toward improving energy efficiency, transparency, accountability, and innovation in local government through the creation of an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (EECS), which outlines long term plans to integrate relevant initiatives into government operations. This strategy is intended for inclusion in the County's Comprehensive Plan, Development Code, operational policies, and other long-range planning documents.

Energy efficiency and conservation practices encompass many processes that build a more sustainable community in terms of enhanced air quality, natural resource protection, and greenhouse gas reductions. However, implementing energy programs takes political will that may not be present in every community. Twin Falls County, Idaho has taken steps toward improving energy efficiency, transparency, accountability, and innovation in local government through the creation of an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (EECS), which outlines long term plans to integrate relevant initiatives into government operations. This strategy is intended for inclusion in the County's Comprehensive Plan, Development Code, operational policies, and other long-range planning documents.

Wind energy is a free, renewable resource for non-polluting electricity that does not emit greenhouse gases, unlike conventional power plants. Wind energy is one of the most cost-effective sources of electricity generation, competing with new installations of other energy sources in wind-rich regions. In 2011, San Miguel County took steps to encourage wind energy generation by approving an ordinance regulating the development of wind farms in the northern part of New Mexico.

In 2011, the County of Lincoln passed an ordinance for the placement, construction, use and modification of wind energy conversion systems (WECS). The county wanted to ensure that WECS were consistent with the County of Lincoln’s land use policies, minimize the potential negative impact of WECS, and establish a fair and efficient process for review and approval of applications.

To gain a better understanding of the potential impacts of a proposed new power line on wildlife and community values, Madison County, Montana took an innovative approach. The county reached out to neighboring Jefferson and Beaverhead counties, and together they sought an independent review of the Mountain States Intertie Project (MSTI) power line proposed by South Dakota-based utility company, Northwestern Energy.

Los Alamos County is the smallest county in New Mexico and home to Los Alamos National Laboratory. The county's population of 17,950 has the same housing needs as larger counties, which includes affordable housing for the working population. Los Alamos County has taken a number of steps to address the issue of affordable housing. The county waives all building fees for affordable homes, amounting to a savings of $1,000.00 and $1,400.00 per unit. There is an expedited permitting process for residential new construction decreasing the process from four to six months to 15 days from receipt of application. The county underwrites the cost of off-site utility extensions rather than passing that on to the developer and thereby the buyer or renter. Additionally, Los Alamos County provides an incentive for the creation of affordable accessory apartments on existing lots. While development code regulations limit its use, lot splitting is another means that the county provides to promote affordability.

Blaine County, located in the central part of Idaho, boasts top ski facilities, world-class fly fishing on Silver Creek, and a multitude of other activities making the county a popular travel destination year round. These amenities attract full-time and part-time residents who can afford to take advantage of all the area's activities. However, in 1997 the Ketchum-Blaine County Housing Needs Assessment demonstrated the limited availability of affordable housing for the county's "working population". To address this issue an independent public body called the Blaine County Housing Authority was created by the county. Their mission is to promote "various methods for providing housing at affordable sales prices and rental rates" through the following means:

Open space and parks are a necessary consideration when planning and developing livable and enduring neighborhoods. Research shows that communities with more parks and open space enjoy stronger social ties and are more stable, losing fewer residents over time. At the same time, access to parks increase the opportunity for residents to make healthy lifestyle choices like exercising more frequently, which lowers obesity rates and increases health. In addition to their health impacts, parks are an important quality-of-life component that contributes to the perception of livability.

In the real estate boom of the past decade, Teton County approved an estimated 142-year supply of residential lots–far more homesites than the market could bear. The vast majority of these are located in the rural parts of the county. Even with this surplus looming, city and county leaders have made commitments to downtown Driggs, and there has been growth in the main core.

Rifle has taken several steps to revamp and revitalize the downtown in recent years, including a new two story parking structure and library building, and the new Centennial Park. The city is seeing the fruits of its labor: just this year a new multiplex theater opened up, which will add "after hours" activity to the downtown.

Sheridan has a strong foundation, including solid existing infrastructure and a downtown master plan for future development. Sheridan also has a tremendous amount of opportunities, such as a cooperative city-county relationship, a stock of downtown buildings ready for rehabilitation, a strong philanthropic community and many healthy neighborhoods and public facilities within walking distance of Main Street. The city and county have also invested in new parks and schools very close to downtown, and Sheridan enjoys a great deal of public infrastructure for a town its size.

The City of Durango is committed to effective and efficient public services designed to enhance the quality of life of the community's citizens. This commitment is expressed through the development of the Environmental Purchasing Policy (EPP), which recognizes the links between citizens' and employees' health and wellbeing and the status of the environment. The city will minimize environmental impacts associated with municipal operations and serve as a community model for environmental leadership by integrating the concept of sustainable development into all of its business operations. To accomplish this Durango devised a plan of action that will conserve resources and potentially improve the environmental quality of the region.

After experiencing record growth in the mid 2000s, most communities are now facing an economic slowdown that further strains tight budgets forcing communities to make difficult spending choices. To forestall budgetary limitations, many communities are looking for ways to incentivize the construction and development industry in an effort to boost revenue streams. Incentives like impact fees are being re-evaluated to make the upfront costs of development less burdensome thus attracting new development to revitalize struggling communities. One strategy for making impact fees less obstructive is to allow for the deferral of impact fee payment until later in the project development or even until a period of years following occupancy. This enables communities to reduce housing and development cost without affecting the level of services provided. Reducing the burden of the impact fees at the beginning of the project reduces the cost to new residents by lowering home prices, without a corresponding decrease in the level of services provided.

Open space and parks are a necessary consideration when planning and developing livable and enduring neighborhoods. Research shows that communities with more parks and open space enjoy stronger social ties and are more stable, losing fewer residents over time. At the same time, access to parks increase the opportunity for residents to make healthy lifestyle choices like exercising more frequently, which lowers obesity rates and increases health. In addition to their health impacts, parks are an important quality-of-life component that contributes to the perception of livability.

Air quality has improved dramatically since growing pollution problems across the United States necessitated the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. Levels of major air pollution contaminants are down, however 58 percent of the population lives in areas where pollution levels result in short term issues like breathing difficulties and long term issues like chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Typical air quality efforts focus on reducing fine particle pollution from automobiles, diesel engines, steel mills and coal-fired power plants. Although the regulation of air pollution involves a large coordinated effort on the behalf of state and county governments, cities have the capacity to intervene at crucial points. One way is to the lower the emissions produced by government vehicles. The Town of Castle Rock, Colorado is at the forefront of tackling vehicle point source pollution.

On May 29, 2012, Bisbee began a six month voluntary program to introduce the community to a plastic bag reduction program. The plastic bag ban program is designed to give the City of Bisbee the flexibility to create a bag reduction program that will eventually extend to all non-reusable bags. The reduction program will be monitored and assessed by the Council after the six months. If the city feels a fee on single use plastic and paper bags is required, the program will unfold in three phases. The possible fee on plastic and paper bags will be the first in the state of Arizona.

In 2009 mining claims were filed on 10,000 acres of Lincoln National Forest, adjacent to private land. The area was in the National Forest where the original Smokey Bear was found in the 1950's. Many homes in the area did not want the forest disturbed by surface mining. To respond to this situation, County of Lincoln, NM passed Ordinance No. 2009-01 to “provide a regulatory framework for the balance between protection of the unique resources of Lincoln County with the furtherance of commercial mining in the county; providing penalties for violation of this ordinance; providing for the severability of parts hereof; repealing ordinances in conflict herein; and providing and effective date.”

Park County, population 15,636, covers 1.7 million acres in south-central Montana, bordered by Yellowstone National Park to the south. The county seat is Livingston, home to 7,000 residents. Other towns include rural communities and gateways to Yellowstone.

Streets, neighborhoods, and new developments that cater to the automobile limit access to other viable transportation options. Complete Street policies promote access and travel for all transportation users. Providing options for citizens that are convenient and safe allow for reduced dependency of automobiles and promote vibrant public spaces, especially as growing municipalities begin to require more infrastructure.

In September of 2012, The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Sonoran Institute along with Anna Trentadue, staff attorney and program director for Valley Advocates for Responsible Development (VARD) published a research paper detailing the impacts of excess development entitlements in Teton County, Idaho.

In many cities and communities, development has been occurring further from the city core, often encroaching on open space and green fields. Incentivizing infill of vacant land helps to revitalize neighborhoods and encourages development in core areas that may be in decline. Concentrating growth in areas targeted for revitalization helps communities, especially smaller cities like Sierra Vista, Arizona, maintain a sense of place and more tightly knit community.

A planned unit development (PUD) is a large, integrated development, developed under unified control according to a master plan, and located on a single, or contiguous, tract of land. Rather than the typical lot-by-lot development approach of traditional zoning, the entire parcel is planned in a comprehensive and integrated fashion. PUDs are often subject to a rigorous review and public hearing process to ensure the proposal complies with the overall vision of the community. However, once the PUD is approved, developers enjoy a predictable approval process that helps to reduce development time and costs.

Process is often criticized for the amount of time and effort it requires. However, for controversial issues, the only proven method for building broad based support is investing the time necessary to build a common vision. The adoption of the Big Hole Land Use Plan and the River Conservation Standards by a four county region (Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Butte-Silver Bow, and Madison, Montana) is a great example of how a shared vision can lead to outcomes to achieve a specific goal, in this case protection of fish and wildlife habitat.