Preserving 'Button Parks'

Louv writes, "When the Trust for Public Land (TPL), working with the Colorado Health Foundation, brought together groups concerned about the disconnect of children from nature, TPL leaders and I brainstormed on the future of land trusts in tough economic times. Considering this approach, a TPL leader suggested that neighborhood leaders might also identify abandoned houses, buy them, raze them, and turn them into natural parkland or community gardens. "We really do have to think about creating nature, not just preserving it," he said.

As with family nature clubs, the central organizing principle of nearby-nature trusts would be: do it yourself, do it now–with a little help and information from friends who know about land trusts."