Open space is vitally important
Open space that supports wildlife, water conservation, passive recreation, and productive farmland is disappearing. With that, efforts to curb climate change with less expensive interventions such as land conservation becomes more and more difficult as forest lands are developed or turned into solar or wind energy projects. While this type of development, housing and renewable energy projects, is very important in its own right, it places even more importance on conservation efforts at the local level. And most recently, numerous studies point to the impacts that access to open space/recreation areas/trees, has on human health.
Fiscal impacts
While not all open space can be protected, it is undeniable that protecting appropriate natural areas is a fiscally prudent option for rural communities. A 2007 "Cost of Community Services" study of RI found that town services demanded and used by new residential development cost more than the tax revenue generated by that type of development. Protected open space on the other hand uses about 1/3 of the taxes it generates for services. In short, this helps keep our taxes lower overall, while adding to the rural character of the town and helping fight climate change on the local level. Currently, some members of the Land Trust are working on updating the cost of community services impact, so we can better understand how this has shifted for the last couple of decades with the added pressures of municipal solar and wind energy developments.
Values on homes and businesses
Property values for homes that are located adjacent to permanently protected forests, farms, etc. tend to appreciate in value faster than homes in traditional subdivisions where there are no open protected lands. It is important to note that about 95% of all open space land in Scituate is privately owned. This includes the Scituate reservoir holdings which are owned by the City of Providence and includes about 13,000 acres.
Water
Preserving land is also important in maintaining water quality. More than 90% of Scituate residents rely on private wells for potable water. Protection of land that contributes to the purity of those wells is of the utmost importance.
While the town does not have one single large diverse land holding which can provide or be converted to passive recreation for hiking, bird watching, wildlife habitat, or just general outdoor enjoyment, it is our hope that private landowners would be interested in helping conservation efforts by donating land to be protected in perpetuity.
A Land Trust can do just that- help private land owners become stewards of open space and aid in protecting lands for future generations.
Open space that supports wildlife, water conservation, passive recreation, and productive farmland is disappearing. With that, efforts to curb climate change with less expensive interventions such as land conservation becomes more and more difficult as forest lands are developed or turned into solar or wind energy projects. While this type of development, housing and renewable energy projects, is very important in its own right, it places even more importance on conservation efforts at the local level. And most recently, numerous studies point to the impacts that access to open space/recreation areas/trees, has on human health.
Fiscal impacts
While not all open space can be protected, it is undeniable that protecting appropriate natural areas is a fiscally prudent option for rural communities. A 2007 "Cost of Community Services" study of RI found that town services demanded and used by new residential development cost more than the tax revenue generated by that type of development. Protected open space on the other hand uses about 1/3 of the taxes it generates for services. In short, this helps keep our taxes lower overall, while adding to the rural character of the town and helping fight climate change on the local level. Currently, some members of the Land Trust are working on updating the cost of community services impact, so we can better understand how this has shifted for the last couple of decades with the added pressures of municipal solar and wind energy developments.
Values on homes and businesses
Property values for homes that are located adjacent to permanently protected forests, farms, etc. tend to appreciate in value faster than homes in traditional subdivisions where there are no open protected lands. It is important to note that about 95% of all open space land in Scituate is privately owned. This includes the Scituate reservoir holdings which are owned by the City of Providence and includes about 13,000 acres.
Water
Preserving land is also important in maintaining water quality. More than 90% of Scituate residents rely on private wells for potable water. Protection of land that contributes to the purity of those wells is of the utmost importance.
While the town does not have one single large diverse land holding which can provide or be converted to passive recreation for hiking, bird watching, wildlife habitat, or just general outdoor enjoyment, it is our hope that private landowners would be interested in helping conservation efforts by donating land to be protected in perpetuity.
A Land Trust can do just that- help private land owners become stewards of open space and aid in protecting lands for future generations.
Map and table of Scituate recreation, conservation, and open space areas:
> Map
> Table
Percentage wise, Scituate has more area devoted to conservation than any other community in Rhode Island.
This can be attributed to the major land holdings of the Providence Water Supply Board which are used to produce and store water for approximately 60% of RI'ers. Although only 49 percent of the Scituate Reservoir watershed is actually in Scituate, over 88 percent of the PWSB's property holdings are in the Town. Under the policies of the PWSB, no recreational use of watershed lands is allowed. They do hold public tours from time to time. Please refer to the Affiliate tab for more info.
This can be attributed to the major land holdings of the Providence Water Supply Board which are used to produce and store water for approximately 60% of RI'ers. Although only 49 percent of the Scituate Reservoir watershed is actually in Scituate, over 88 percent of the PWSB's property holdings are in the Town. Under the policies of the PWSB, no recreational use of watershed lands is allowed. They do hold public tours from time to time. Please refer to the Affiliate tab for more info.
Methods for Land Conservation:
- Conservation Easements
- Development Rights
- Land Donations
- Farm, Forest and Open Space Designation