Preserving Open Space and Farmland Preserving Open Space and Farmland Many communities in urban, suburban and rural areas feel that development patterns are decreasing open space and farmland, threatening recreation as well as a way of life. Open space and forestlands give us places to recreate and relax, to re-establish our connection to the land.
Farms produce our food and are important economic anchors for entire regions.
These natural spaces also provides a variety of environmental benefits, such as flood reduction, ground water discharge, scenic landscapes and wildlife habitat. Communities recognize that the competition for land will intensify as our population grows and the communications revolution makes it easier for us to live and work in widely dispersed communities. They are working together to preserve farmland and meaningful access to open space by improving planning, providing advice on land stewardship and providing matching funds to create parks.