Benefits of Open Space

Green spaces provide public values benefiting all Pennsylvanians. A quick survey of the economic, fiscal, community and ecological benefits follows (Many of the publications cited can be found at the Printed Resource Gallery.)

Economic Benefits

Undeveloped lands represent key holdings in Pennsylvania’s economic portfolio. Tourism, agriculture, timber production, hunting and fishing, wildlife-watching and other outdoor recreation contribute billions of dollars to Pennsylvania’s economy every year.

Numerous economic studies recognize that our economy ultimately depends on our natural resource base. For example, research demonstrates that environmental quality and the availability and diversity of natural areas and outdoor recreational opportunities are influential factors in attracting technology workers and supporting high tech industries. (See Competing in the Age of Talent, Dr. Richard Florida, 2000.)

Quoting the Rendell-Knoll Plan for Hospitality and Tourism in Pennsylvania:

Without a doubt, building a prosperous and vibrant economy in this Commonwealth must include equal attention to the preservation and maintenance of Pennsylvania’s natural resources. The Commonwealth’s wild and scenic rivers, mountains, forests and parks are our greatest resources.

Fiscal Benefits

Numerous studies confirm that it pays to conserve—both for municipalities and school districts. Sprawl-style development costs communities money, while protecting our working farms and forests saves communities money. This is so even when preferential property assessments such as Clean and Green are taken into account. See, for example, Cost of Community Services: Shrewsbury Township, York County, Pennsylvania (South Central Assembly for Effective Governance, 2002), Saving Land Saves Money, 2nd Ed. (Montgomery County Lands Trust, 2002) and Opportunity Knocks—Open Space as a Community Investment (Heritage Conservancy, 2000).

Community and Ecological Benefits

Green and open lands perform a wide range of community and ecological services. These lands:

• protect drinking water supplies
• recharge groundwater and aquifers
• protect our lakes, rivers, streams and fish populations
• provide habitat for wildlife—game and non-game species alike
• absorb air pollution
• cool communities in the summer months
• absorb storm water and reduce flooding
• provide the foundation for a healthy ecosystem on which we all depend
• provide recreational, educational, aesthetic and other quality of life benefits to communities.

Also visit our online to download Research Papers on the benefits and Cost-Savings of open space.