What’s the value of green space in an urban area? Results of a new consumer survey show that we value our trees, turf, shrubs and other landscaping in different ways and, according to Den Gardner, executive director of Project EverGreen, “we don’t always connect the dots between the economic, environmental and lifestyle benefits they provide.”
“For example,” Gardner says, “90 percent of those surveyed agreed that landscaping is important in improving their home’s value at sale time. However, only 50 percent agreed that landscaping was important in reducing energy costs. In the same way, there seems to be a lack of knowledge of the role green space can play in helping to regulate air quality. Forty percent of survey respondents either disagreed or said they ‘didn’t know’ that trees, shrubs and turfgrass remove pollutants from the air.”
The survey, conducted nationwide, is part of Project EverGreen’s ongoing work in assessing awareness of the benefits provided by well-maintained urban landscapes (both public and private). “It’s not surprising that more education is needed to fully appreciate all dimensions of the value green space has for our society,” Gardner said, “but there are signs of progress. For example: Respondents indicated that if tax increases were necessary for the purpose of building public green spaces and parks, they’d vote ‘yes’ 55 to 45. That’s encouraging.”
