Green Communities Research Center

Land Conservation

Land conservation is an integral part of planning a sustainable, green community that balances development, housing, and economic development with species and habitat preservation, open space and parks, and a healthy environment. Land conservation can be promoted and achieved through a variety of mechanisms such as open space plans and conservation easements.

For information related to land conservation, see the October 2000 PAS Memo "Green Infrastructure: A Strategic Approach to Land Conservation," and APA’s Policy Guides on Smart Growth and Agricultural Land Preservation.