Many critical open spaces will be developed if we don't protect them.
The NC Unit of State Demographics projects that North Carolina's population will increase to more than 10 million people in 2010. This is an expansion of about 17.5% from April 2000 to April 2010, adding 1.4 million people to the state. To accommodate this growth, we will need to develop areas that are forests and farms today, but we must also set aside and protect some critical open spaces.

Between 1992 and 1997, North Carolina developed more than 100,000 acres of open space a year, the fifth fastest rate of land development for any state in the country. As we develop land, the open space that was once there is converted forever. While we do not want to stop growth and development, we do want to make sure that growth helps us rather than hurts us. To do this, we need to protect a network of essential open spaces while allowing other areas to be developed.

How much land has been developed in North Carolina recently, compared with other states? Click here to visit the US Department of Agriculture website for the details.