Preservation is Everyone's Responsibility

   We are fortunate at the Conservancy to have the opportunity to speak with many citizens of Montgomery County as we participate in various activities and attend events throughout the county.
   "We are tired of the over-development of the county", you tell us. Another common complaint we hear is that municipal officials often "give in" to developers, even when zoning is in place to prevent this.
   Development happens not because aliens are invading our county demanding new homes. People want them. It's the law of supply and demand. This growth, in turn, generates a whole set of related issues such as increased traffic, higher taxes, and more crime.
   Many improvements need to occur in order to ensure that Montgomery County does not become one big King of Prussia. From one perspective, you, our county's residents, hold the key. You can play a bigger part in determining what types and how much development your county and your municipality will support.
   What can you do? As a beginning, you can learn about the resources already in place to preserve open space and historic resources. Then, you can begin to contribute solutions.
Let's start with the public sector. At the state level, we need a comprehensive plan to encourage and support the preservation of open spaces and historic resources. The recent book Save Our Land, Save Our Towns, by Thomas Hylton, provides a detailed outline of how this can happen in Pennsylvania. It shows how we can revitalize our cities, save our farmland and farming community, and preserve our environment for future generations Talk to your state legislators about this.
   On the local level, we can encourage our municipal officials to act on existing opportunities. We must demand that they uphold zoning and planning laws that require open space and historic preservation. Those who don't must be held accountable on election day.
   The private sector has its own crucial role. Non-profit organizations like the Conservancy can educate the public, government officials and the business community. Its tools are booklets, press releases, newsletters, workshops and our presence at critical municipal and county meetings. Also, the Conservancy actively preserves our resources through its conservation easement program.
  But most importantly, for change to happen, each one of us must help. If you own land or historic resources, find out how you can protect them far into the future. The Conservancy can assist you in this process. Also, you can become involved in conserving the vulnerable historic communities and buildings around you.
   All residents need to look beyond their own plot of ground.Ask municipal officials if there is a comprehensive plan that will tell how your municipality will look twenty years from now. Support builders who are preserving at least half of the open space per parcel. Make sure that the open space is permanently protected and preserved in one unit.
   Support developers who demonstrate innovative designs, use high quality materials and workmanship, utilize existing infrastructure and who also find a way to keep historic resources. Look at the total picture and refuse to support development that only exacerbates existing problems...or creates new ones.
   And if you do, the past will have a future. You, your family, and future generations deserve no less!