Public Benefits of Conserved Land

It’s hard to put a price on the joy one feels while walking in a scenic woodland or selecting fresh produce from a local farm stand. It’s harder still to measure how a given forest or meadow improves air quality, moderates climate change and protects drinking water.  Yet these benefits from natural lands enhance our quality of life.  Many of the benefits that accrue from protected lands are not limited to those who own the land: conserved parcels often provide the greater community with wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, opportunities for outdoor recreation, and natural resources that stimulate the local economy.

Direct experience teaches us that conserved lands have value in and of themselves. Preserved natural settings make our communities more appealing, enriching the lives of residents and creating a desirable environment for workers and visitors. Protected properties stimulate local growth without requiring costly municipal services that can increase taxes. Conserved lands also foster public health through an array of ecological services. The collective worth of these contributions is undeniable; land protection is one of the best investments that a community can make. Many people assume that residential development increases a town’s tax base, generating revenues that outweigh any added cost of municipal services.  Studies done in Maine and throughout the country contradict this assumption, revealing that many new housing units typically cost taxpayers more than they contribute in tax revenues.  Protected lands, in contrast, can save municipalities money because they don’t require services such as water, sewer and schools.  Studies in Maine have shown that permanently conserving a parcel valued at $500,000 would increase taxes for an average local homeowner by less than $5 a year.

From the air we breathe and the water we drink to the soil that nourishes our food, our lives are sustained by the countless values of unspoiled natural settings. Conserved lands represent an investment in our future, providing economic returns, treasured experiences, and many other gifts that enrich our lives.