The San Francisco-based Trust for Public Land recently rescued 595 acres of oak woodlands and 2 miles of river in the Sierra foothills that had been slated to be bulldozed for homes. When the bottom dropped out of the economy the plan to build homes was yanked, allowing the trust to swoop in with a $4 million offer that was quickly accepted.
All over California, tough economic times are forcing investors and developers to abandon housing projects and real estate deals that would have made them a fortune just a few years ago. Conservation organizations and trusts are moving in to buy the land, often at bargain basement prices, promising to preserve the land forever — a trend that conservationists are calling the “green lining” (instead of the silver lining) on the sour economy.
Thanks to Sarah F. for submitting the link!