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Overview
In 2004, the Greenspace Alliance published a Regional Green Plan (then known as the Regional Open Space Priorities Report) that identified key natural, agricultural and recreational lands in southeast Pennsylvania. The Plan analyzed land in the 1.4 million acre five county region, measuring its quality from an agricultural, natural resource, and recreational standpoint. It created a composite, GIS based map of the region designating priority landscapes that are critical to the sustained economic and environmental health of the region. The region has tremendous natural assets but open space is disappearing quickly.
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The Plan recommended that at least one acre of land be protected for every acre developed, so that no less than 50% of the remaining undeveloped land is permanently preserved. It encourages partnerships between state, federal, local and private conservation groups and others to protect critical open spaces in the region while there is still time.
The GSA seeks to help foster preservation in the priority landscapes and in 2005 began its work in four of these areas. For each of the landscapes this involved bringing together key groups interested in or pivotal to its preservation. Partnerships were formed, goals set and action plans developed. The initial four areas of focus included the Southwest Chester County Agricultural area, Hopewell Big Woods, Bucks/Montgomery County Highlands area, and an area becoming known as the Pennypack Greenway. Our upcoming areas of focus for 2007 include the Tidal Delaware and the Northwest Chester County Agricultural area.
Since land use continually changes, GSA plans to keep the Regional Green Plan current and as such, is now reviewing new data to ascertain whether any adjustments to the priority areas are warranted. An updated on line version of the Regional Green Plan will be made available in 2007.
To learn more about the plan, visit www.regionalgreenplan.org.
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