Benefits of Nature-Friendly Communities

-Attract Businesses Looking for a High Quality of Life. Quality of life factors rank high on worker and corporate surveys of elements important in evaluating job and location decisions. What makes up a high quality of life? Among other things, easy access to a wide range of outdoor activities, scenic beauty, and a clean environment.

-Increase Tourism Dollars. Tourism is the largest sector of the nation’s economy, and 48 percent of US residents sought out nature-based activities on their last vacation. People engaged in hunting, fishing, or wildlife watching spent an estimated $108 billion in 2001 alone; bicyclists, hikers, kayakers and other outdoor activities generated $18 billion in sales.

-Increase Property Values. Open space, parks, woodlands and rivers increase property values. An analysis in Portland, Oregon found that home values within 1,500 feet of a public park were $2,200 higher than average. In Indianapolis, homes within a half-mile of conservation corridors garnered a premium of $5,317.

-Save Taxpayers Money. Being nature-friendly means opting for more compact and efficient development -- and that saves money. A national analysis found that over a 25-year period, more compact growth could save US taxpayers $12.6 billion in water and sewer infrastructure, and $110 billion in road infrastructure. On a community level, preserving open space can be a good deal, primarily because residential housing development costs more to service than it pays back in taxes. And on a neighborhood level, natural areas and tree cover significantly reduce cooling costs.

-Provide important services through inexpensive ‘green infrastructure.’ Nature-friendly communities have learned that natural ecosystems provide basic services that are expensive to duplicate. Intact forests and wetlands allow aquifer recharge and effectively filter water, often reducing the need for water filtration plants. Trees filter an impressive amount of air pollution – in Denver alone, trees provide $2.6 million in air pollution removal benefits. Natural areas can also prevent flooding at a fraction of the cost of dams and levies.

-Improve public health. Research shows that opportunities for active outdoor recreation, such as parks and trails, help more people to get active – and that is a proven strategy for losing weight and improving health.

-Enhance Community Character and Amenities. Natural areas have been proven to lower stress, contribute to a sense of community, and can even improve relationships among neighbors. Nature-friendly communities provide a variety of housing options and free, easily accessible recreational opportunities for residents of all income levels.

From Nature-Friendly Communities: Habitat Protection and Land Use Planning, by Christopher Duerksen & Cara Snyder. Island Press, 2005.