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forestlands, thus increasing the public's connection to and willingness to fund protection of these areas. In 2001 and 2002, Voices and Choices brought together over 400 local government planners, natural resource professionals, developers, and citizens interested in open space preservation. Through facilitated workshops, these participants defined six types of open space that are critical to the health of the region's environment, economy, and quality of life: Natural Habitat Wetlands and Floodplains Farmlands and Timberlands Rural Heritage and Scenic Areas Urban Green space Parks and Recreation The workshops resulted in an Open Space Framework document and GIS mapping layers that can help measure the value of preserving a piece of land for the individual six open space types. As a greenway system, The Catawba Regional Trail System will link open spaces that represent these six types. The Catawba Reqional Trail System as an Economic Development Proiect The Trail System will have economic benefits as well. The business community and real estate developers recognize the economic benefits that the Catawba Regional Trail System can create through increased land values and increased attractiveness to employers looking to relocate in the region. Improved recreational and leisure opportunities resulting from the Trail System will help improve the physical, social, and mental health of area residents and there fore attract new, businesses looking for a healthy regional community to locate their employees. Real estate studies have shown an increase in property values for properties adjacent and/or in proximity of parks, greenways, and trails. In addition, the establishment of a regional trail system can lead to business opportunities related to tourism and commercial retail. The Geoqraphic Focus On the Catawba Reqional Trail System The Catawba Regional Trail System will initially focus on four to six counties in the Catawba River Watershed along the border of North and South Carolina. These counties include Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lancaster and York. Chester and Lincoln Counties have also expressed an interest in participating. As the Catawba Regional Trail System develops, efforts will be made to incorporate other trail initiatives (such as the Catawba County/Unifour Area Trail, the Broad River and Rocky River Trail, and the Crowder's Mountain / Kings Mountain Trail) into the larger regional system.