Importance of Protecting Land, Water, and Forest Resources in the Oconee River Watershed
- hadrien57
- 7 minutes ago
- 4 min read
by H. Ken Cordell, PhD, Senior Scientist Retired, USDA Forest Service Research
Undeveloped land and water resources contribute greatly to sustaining local economies and the environment. Citizens must actively participate in protecting undeveloped land by taking on activities that contribute to land stewardship goals. These goals should require that residential, commercial, and industrial development be concentrated to the fullest extent possible in existing population and business centers. Development should not come at the price of losing rural waterways, forests, agricultural areas, open space, natural systems, and scenic areas. Research has shown that protecting these natural resources supports sustainable economic growth and enables government, business entities, and citizens to realize high-quality community life.
Some of the benefits from land protection include:
Generates economic activity through recreation and tourism
Provides job growth
Helps maintain rural character
Contributes clean water and air
Through tree shading, helps keep the environment cooler
Contributes to disaster mitigation, such as flooding
Mitigates the effects of climate change
Reduces healthcare costs
Fosters resilience against invasive species
Offers better physical and mental health
Reduces healthcare costs
Protects wildlife habitats
It was with these benefits in mind that I (Ken Cordell) and my wife (Babs McDonald) are willing some of our land to the Oconee River Land Trust. Through easements and land donations granted to government and land conservation entities, owners can protect their land against development with binding, long-term agreements.
Our wills identify the Oconee River Land Trust as beneficiary with binding agreements on two forested tracts, one, a 55 acre tract in Madison County and another for 22 acres in South Jackson County. We purchased these tracts to use and enjoy in their natural state. We believe that conservation of these undeveloped, natural lands is a crucial component of sustainable communities.
The 55 acres in Madison County is entirely forested, except for a narrow woods road/trail along the land’s ridge top. From the ridge top the land runs precipitously down to the flood plain of the Broad River. In Georgia, ownership of land fronting a creek, river or lake includes the area between the water body shore and half way across that water body. There is evidence that this tract had been timbered at some point in its history. The ridge top has a mix of Virginia pine, short leaf pine, and scarlet oak, among other species. The forest condition shows little signs of having been burned. The tracts adjacent to and across the river are all forested, with intermixed uses, such as the Metropolitan Boys Club facility across from the 55 acres being willed to the ORLT. Babs and I want to see our land protected to the maximum extent possible in perpetuity.
The 22-acre tract in the south portion of Jackson County is bordered by highway 330 on the north, Tallassee Creek to the east and south to Kingfisher Creek (tributary of the Middle Oconnee). A power line right of way borders the tract to the west. This forested tract has 1.6 miles of maintained trails. We believe our willing this tract to ORLT is an excellent way to achieve the long-term protection we seek.
Research has clearly shown that protected natural land and water has substantial market value. For example, Wolf ( 2007) reported that lots with tree cover sells for 18 percent or more than lots without trees. Building lots with substantial mature tree cover sell for 22 percent more. Tree-covered undeveloped acreage sells for 35 percent more. Lots bordering suburban wooded preserves that are open and are two-thirds wooded sell for 37 percent more. (Source: Kathleen Wolf, 2007, City Trees and Property Values). Professional research and resulting guidelines abound that show forest tree cover has not only marketable aesthetic value, but as well provides environment services such as storm water control, wood products, wildlife habitat, mitigation of climate change, recreation, and many other benefits. If community forests are lost to development, they and the benefits that we derive from them cannot ever be reclaimed
In summary, there are many benefits from protecting land and water resources. We hope that our willing of our two tracts of mainly forested land will not only add to the overall health of our shared communities, but also that other land owners might be encouraged to follow similar paths toward land and water conservation.
If you are considering including the Oconee River Land Trust in your estate plans or would like to learn more about planned giving opportunities, we would be honored to speak with you. Please feel free to contact Director of Engagement Hadrien Turner directly at hadrien@oconeeriverlandtrust.org. You can also explore additional information about legacy and planned giving through our planned giving resource page. Your generosity helps ensure that Georgia’s forests, farms, wetlands, and waterways remain protected for generations to come.
