Protecting Land Resources
Tools to Protect Land Resources
Protecting Land Resources
Land is developed for housing, commercial and industrial needs. Roads, parking lots and other forms of transportation need space for the movement of people and goods.
As land is developed, communities need to consider protection of natural space as a prime concern. Communities recognize the value of farmland, greenways and natural wild areas. There is an economic price tag that can be placed on protection of open space and must be part of the consideration as communities grow and develop. There is a way to develop sustainable communities, maintaining farmland, wilderness and unfragmented tracks of land for wildlife migration and human enjoyment. Protecting green space is critical to the health of future generations and for the health of the environment.
Questions
- What is the value of protecting open space for a community?
- What are the tools that will protect land?
- How can they be implemented?
Preparation
- Divide participants in work groups, following procedures for working in groups.
- Prepare the Declaration of Rights for each participant.
- Prepare “Development versus Preservation Worksheet” for each group.
- Prepare copies or transparency of both The Last Straw artwork and Lancaster County Farmland Photos.
- Prepare and distribute copies of the Last Straw Worksheet.
- Prepare information sheets on each area of land preservation:
- Natural Areas
- Farmlands
- Land Trusts and Environmental Advisory Councils
- Greenways
- Land Recycling
- Prepare copies of Community Planning Worksheet
- Prepare Land Bingo Sheets for each participant.
Procedure
