What’s in it for You? - Protecting Your Natural Assets
There are a variety of benefits of conservation, to the environment, wildlife, communities, residents, and the economy, – as well, of course, to those who make their livelihood on farmlands and other rural lands.
Conserving natural areas does not only benefit farmers, since there are many other benefits. And the case for nature conservation is more than simply environmental, aesthetic or spiritual, it is increasingly economic, as the value of the services our ecosystems provide are beginning to be understood. Conserving natural areas can provide a range of benefits:
- Environmental Benefits: clean water, clean air, habitat and biological diversity
- Economic Benefits: natural capital values, increased property values, increased municipal taxes, sustainable land use
- Cultural and Scenic Benefits: cultural heritage and aesthetic values
- Urban Benefits: energy conversation, reduced run-off, improved water quality and reduced infrastructure costs