CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

New Report by The Trust For Public Land Highlights Economic Benefits of Preserving Open Space on Long Island

The report, entitled The Economic Benefits and Fiscal Impact of Parks and Open Space in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York, finds that having parks, farms, and forests generates $2.74 billion per year for the Long Island economy!

This report was generously sponsored by the Long Island Community Foundation and the Rauch Foundation.

The report found that parks and open space provide billions in annual economic benefits for Nassau and Suffolk Counties.  Key points include:

• Preserving land reduces government services.
• Close proximity to parks increases the value of residential property.
• $288 million is spent each year at LI farms.
• $33.3 million is spent each year directly at wineries.
• Conservation of parks is eight times less costly than new residential development.
• Land and foliage in open space act as natural filters as they slow down runoff and capture precipitation, reducing stormwater management costs by $23.9 million annually.
• The trees and shrubs found in parks and protected open space remove air pollutants naturally, reducing pollution control costs by $18.9 million per year.
• Open space also contributes to public health benefits; over 600,000 Long Islanders take part in physical activity at the parks, generating health benefits of $164 million per year.

Read the full report

Earlier this year, we faced the threat that many of our state parks would be closed and that resources would be lost. Thank you to everyone who attended rallies and wrote letters to elected officials to keep the parks open. With the continued support of our members, CCE works to ensure that our parks remain accessible for public recreation and that our natural environment is preserved for future generations.

Thank you for joining us in our work to protect the environment. Together we make a difference!

Sincerely,

YOUR FRIENDS AT CCE