why protecting land matters

Every acre we save cleans and cools the air we breathe, soaks up floodwaters, provides wildlife with habitat, filters the water we drink, and brings humans improved health and joy.

a brown and white bird with her three babies that are in a nest on green grass

land for life

As development outpaces conservation, we are losing our open space at an alarming rate. When we lose these landscapes, we also lose the valuable qualities and natural services they offer.

climate

While climate change is a global issue, we can affect change on a local level. Open space helps us withstand the impacts of a changing climate and helps us bounce back after dramatic weather events. Rich natural areas serve as critical reservoirs for carbon storage. Forests and meadows store 25 times more carbon dioxide than lawns and, in one year, an acre of forest will absorb twice the amount of carbon dioxide produced by an average car’s annual mileage.

an aerial view of a forest full of fall color in the Pocono mountains, with some mist and a light blue sky

water

Clean, safe water is essential to all life. But, in Pennsylvania alone, there are more than 15,000 miles of streams that are unsafe for drinking or recreation. By preserving the land around our streams and rivers, and by planting thousands of trees to serve as a natural filter, we can help ensure clean water.

Photo depicts a rushing stream with boulders and trees along the edge using slow motion effects.

wildlife

Habitat loss and degradation has contributed to a 69 percent decline in animal populations between 1970 and 2012. At Natural Lands, we work to increase the quantity and quality of wildlife habitat by saving the region’s most ecologically important landscapes.

a bird with a red head and black and white body perched on a tree that has grayish-green lichen on it

health

Fresh air to breathe, clean water to drink, unspoiled places to explore, trails to walk—all are essential to human health. Time in nature is also proven to enhance mood and relieve stress. A study found $1.3 billion in avoided health costs in southeastern Pennsylvania due to recreation on protected open spaces. This is just one reason our nature preserves are open to everyone and are always free.