The Hidden Value Of Our Green Spaces

Understanding their value: The Land Trust is dedicated to providing free public open space for the benefit of communities. Our green spaces are more than just places for recreation and amenity – they also provide important functions to society. Natural Capital Accounting: Well maintained green spaces perform important functions which have an economic value, such as absorbing pollution, which provides people with clean air and reduces pressures on public services. These functions are known as ‘ecosystem services’. By understanding what an area of land is made up of, its quality, how it is managed, used and the functions it performs, we can better understand the value it provides to a local or wider area, to businesses, communities and society. Natural Capital Accounting is a recognised way of demonstrating this in physical and monetary terms.
High quality, well maintained green space benefits everyone and as a land management charity, we know that they: ^aEURc Contribute to economic prosperity by helping alleviate costs to businesses and the public purse ^aEURc Support and enhance the services provided for ‘free’ by the natural environment ^aEURc Give people a place to improve their own health and wellbeing ^aEURc Offer people educational opportunities ^aEURc Encourage community cohesion and reduces social isolation.
The Benefits: Well managed green spaces over the long term, deliver services “for free”, which are not usualy valued, or their value is not included in decision making. To further understand the ‘hidden’ values across our green spaces, we are working with partners to recognise their worth and demonstrate how improved management can increase their value. Using two of our parks, this report highlights the value of well maintained green spaces, not just for amenity and recreation, but the services delivered by soil, grass, flowers, trees and water to provide society and our economy with significant benefit.