Perhaps We Need a Referendum Too?

Read this in today's New York Times Editorial Section:

Across the nation, voters approved $7.3 billion in new spending for parks and open-space preservation. Sixty-two of the 87 referendums to acquire or otherwise protect open space were approved. And the support came in rural, Republican areas, as well as in those that lean toward the Democrats.

Full editorial is here.

Especially called out were California, Florida, Minnesota, and if you can believe it, New Jersey.

New Jersey voters showed that they feel strongly about acquiring open space before it is all eaten up by strip malls and McMansions.

If Vermont doesn't figure out something soon, we may lose our edge in the new "Green" World.

Why wolf trees will be scarce

In my previous post I described a wolf tree. The image here provides a visual explanation of why wolf trees will be and are in short supply in Vermont. Fields that might have previously been abandoned for all the years needed to surround the wolf tree with second growth forest, are already sold as building lots. If there was a tree in the field, the best we can hope for is that it wasn't sitting where the "best house site" was. It might then have a chance of survival.

As fast as land ceases to be farmed, it is sold. Piece by piece. Acre by acre. Field by field.

Of course there will be development and growth. But, should it be two miles out from the urban area? Or six, or eight? When will the road between Fairfax and Fairfield cease to be a road and be reborn as a city street?