The preservation of open space forces a town to use its land appropriately and concentrate development where it can best be served by existing infrastructure. Except in highly urbanized areas where infrastructure is already in place, as tax bases grow so do town budgets and so do town rates for individual residents. Responsible open space protection involves deciding where and how development should occur as well as where it should not. By retaining the most important natural, scenic, historic, recreational, or agricultural assets, a town can concentrate development where it fits best, and make better decisions about how and where tools such as clustering should be used and where investments in roads, water supplies and sewers should be made. Cows don't go to school.
Taxes increase as farms turn into suburbs.
The trust will ensure that there are adequate places for residents to play and enjoy the outdoors. As people enjoy and use their outdoor environment, they will appreciate and become better stewards of a clean, healthy environment. Open space also maintains New Jersey's outdoor tourism industry by providing places for the public to fish, swim, boat, hunt and hike. Outdoor recreation provides thriving business opportunities. For example, people who freshwater fish, hunt or picnic spend money on equipment, gasoline, food, and other products.