Land Trusts Reap Big Dividends

To the Editor:

Contrary to the assertions made by Bonner R. Cohen of the Lexington Institute in his letter to the editor (“The ‘Fatal Conceit’ of the Land-Trust Movement,” August 26), there is overwhelming evidence that the growing number of private non-profit land trusts are benefiting both the spirits and the pocketbooks of Americans.

Leaving aside the many and profound ecological, spiritual, and cultural benefits of land conservation, the economic rationale for protecting land is compelling. Most recently, this was documented in the Trust for Public Land’s report, “The Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space.” The 48-page report finds that:

* Conserving watersheds and flood plains saves billions in water-treatment costs and flood-related losses each year. For example, the purchase of 16,000-acre Sterling Forest — a watershed area for New York and New Jersey — cost $55-million, compared to an estimated $160-million water-treatment plant that would have been required had the land been developed.

* Recreation on protected lands generates an annual $40-billion in economic activity. The National Park Service estimates that in 1993, national park visitors contributed more than $10-billion in direct and indirect benefits to local economies. Sport fishing alone contributed multitudes to the US. economy in 1996, supporting 1.2 million jobs. Nationwide, visitors to national wildlife refuges contribute more than $400-million annually to local businesses.

* Urban parks and open space help to revitalize cities by attracting residents, tourists, and new businesses while boosting the value of nearby properties. In Spartanburg, S.C., for example, property values in the central business district increased 325 per cent after a traditional downtown park was built as part of a new office complex. In San Antonio, the well-known Riverwalk park outdraws the Alamo as the single biggest attraction in the city’s $3.5-billion tourist economy.

* Protected open space is key to the high quality of life that attracts new residents and businesses. For example, in the eight years since Chattanooga, Tenn., redeveloped its riverfront to include pedestrian-friendly greenways, the number of businesses and full-time jobs in the downtown district more than doubled, and assessed property values were up more than $11-million — an increase of 127.5 per cent.

In achieving these types of economic and environmental results, America’s more than 1,200 land trusts employ business practices that are wholly consistent with our nation’s tradition of capitalism, entrepreneurialism, and private-sector action. Perhaps that’s why the administrations of Governors ranging from Republicans Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey, Jeb Bush of Florida, and Mike Leavitt of Utah to Democrats Gray Davis of California and Roy Barnes of Georgia, to Independent Angus King of Maine are working actively with local land trusts and national conservation organizations like the Trust for Public Land to protect their states’ unique natural landscapes for future generations.

Peter Forbes
National Fellow
The Trust for Public Land
Boston