Wild life and native plant habitat. Open spaces provide habitat for native plants and animals that cannot live in urban and suburban environments. Large wooded tracts are particularly important to native species, including bobcats, pileated woodpeckers, and many salamanders. Large grassy areas are also needed to support many native birds, including bobwhite quail, eastern meadowlarks, and grasshopper sparrows.

Water quality protection and flood prevention. Wetlands and vegetated stream buffers retain flood waters, reduce the amount of pollutants entering streams, and help remove the pollutants that do get into the water. They can also provide valuable wildlife habitat, if protected in appropriate amounts and configurations. Groundwater supplies are replenished in places where water soaks into the soil and reenters aquifers.

Agriculture and forestry. Agriculture and forestry cannot remain financially viable without large open spaces in which they can be practiced. These landscapes are also an important part of the region’s cultural heritage.

Recreation. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, camping, and bird watching are recreational activities that require extensive open spaces and natural areas.

Sense of place. Many of the things that help define the Triangle’s character are associated with open space, including agriculture, historic structures, and scenic vistas. Open spaces also provide a respite from the urban milieu by simply offering the aesthetic relief of areas devoid of human construction.

Education. We need functional open spaces so that we can learn about the ecological connections among people, wildlife, and the land.

Air quality improvement. Vegetation in open spaces absorbs carbon dioxide and pollutants from the atmosphere and provides shade, reducing air pollution levels and cooling the air.