Every year, development claims more than a million acres of rural land. As open areas shrink, the water supply drops, wildfire risks rise, local food production falls, and infrastructure costs increase. Are these the inevitable side effects of progress? Some communities don"t think so. This book is about them. In 24 illustrated vignettes, Rick Pruetz, FAICP, explores settings from farmland on Long Island to Minneapolis"s Grand Rounds park system to the volcanic range near downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. With a planner"s eye, he brings the achievements of these communities into focus. Lasting Value will inspire planners, commissioners, and citizens who want to preserve the green legacy in their own backyards.