Article Review On Open Space Conservation

In Virginia, land conservation happens on private lands. Private lands conservation is a voluntary move by landowners as they exercise their right to determine their land use. Land conservation provides land owners with a tool to continue existing uses of land as they benefit from financial planning alternatives. Arguably, this strategy benefits the landowner and at the same time protects picturesque and working landscapes. Notably, protecting the natural landscape and cultural resources of Virginia is essential for economic viability of the state, as well as, the public well being. However, this will only become harder with continued increase in population. Virginia Outdoors Plan notes that some of the impacts that may rise due to loss of open land space include; increased run off and reduced water quality; lack of open space, losing of tree canopy – this would affect ecosystems, soil stability and temperatures, decreased out door activities, decline in air quality, and alteration of cultural landscapes and traditional view sheds.
Land conservation in Virginia would come with a lot of benefits to the community. Clearly, both air and water are limited resources. Vegetation and tree canopy serve as critical filters for air. It is essential to remove pollutants that the society releases into the air and water to ensure a safe natural environment. Land conservation is a strategy for protecting and improving water quality, sustaining working landscape, protecting animals and plants from extinction and enhancing quality life for the society. Other than health and food benefits, land conservation also has economic benefits. Open spaces boosts the value of commercial properties, saves money by encouraging more resourceful growth and reduces the expenses for costly water filtration facilities.
-Work Cited-
Virginia Outdoors Conservation. The Public Benefits of Land Conservation http://www.virginiaoutdoorsfoundation.org/protect/public-benefits/
Virginia Outdoors Conservation. Current VOF Easement Guidelines. http://www.virginiaoutdoorsfoundation.org/protect/donating-an-open-space-easement-to-vof/current-vof-easement-guidelines/