Only a fraction of this country's land can be farmed or developed. What happens to the land that is not economically viable? Until a few years ago, the value of such property would have remained flat, with little prospect of appreciating. Today, however, the Federal government has created a huge incentive to turn this land into moneymaking assets. Green Wealth explains how newly enacted laws can benefit those who invest in environmentally reconstituted land development.

The Feds, along with many state governments, now allow for the creation of individual environmental "banks," which are established by converting unproductive property into new wetlands, endangered species reserves, water storage reservoirs, and a host of other types of environmentally protected land. Credits are then issued to the landowners?credits that can be sold to developers seeking to build on previously protected properties. As building continues in one place, new environmentally sound acreage is created in another. Now you can perform an environmentally responsible service and make a highly profitable investment at the same time.

Autorentext

Judith A. Ward, ASLA, received her bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from the University of Arizona. An award-winning landscape architect with over twenty-five years of experience, Ms. Ward is now president and cofounder of Critical Habitats, Inc.

Kevin F. Noon, PhD, received his doctorate from Texas A&M University, specializing in wetland science. For twenty-five years, he has been involved in land improvement and environmental policy development. Currently, he is chairman and cofounder of Critical Habitats, Inc., and of Sustainable Environments LLC?land development and consulting companies that specialize in environmental banking.