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Preservation of Natural Areas in the Face of Rapid Development According to a 2007 report done by Environment North Carolina Policy and Research Center titled "Losing Our Natural Heritage: Development and Open Space Loss in North Carolina," North Carolina's signature woodlands, farmlands, and open spaces are disappearing at an alarming rate. The Charlotte area will lose 30 percent of its natural areas, including nearly a quarter of its forest land, the highest rate of forest loss in the state. If these trends continue, the state's treasured natural areas will disappear as vast tracts of .land are developed into urban areas in the next twenty years. It is critical that our communities band together now to help preserve natural areas for the health and sustainability of future generations. Improvement of Water Quality Green space created by these natural corridors helps to mitigate storm-water runoff and encourage water table recharge. It also serves as a natural filter, trapping pollutants from urban runoff, eroding areas and agricultural lands in order to keep our water supplies healthy. Improvement of Air Quality Tree cover provided by these trails contributes to air quality by removing substantial amounts of particulate matter and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trails also encourage non-motorized means of transportation, which can significantly reduce air pollutants. According to the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group's (NCPIRG) advocate Rob Thompson, "improving air quality is particularly important because communities across North Carolina are routinely put at risk by toxic pollution linked to serious health problems. These toxic pollutants are the worst of the worst and pose tangible threats to public health that must be addressed." Preservation of Wildlife Habitat Greenways and trails help to preserve habitat for many plants, insects and animals that are so important and unique to this region. Conserving the natural environment that surrounds us is an important piece of the legacy that we will leave behind for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Economic Impact The economic benefits of greenways and trails to the surrounding region are numerous. An economic impact study completed by Econsult, Inc. and Greenways, Inc. in February 2007 measures estimated benefits to a fully built- out 15-county regional trail. Its conclusions are substantial and include: G-(o