Preserving natural areas, landscapes with a minimum of human intervention, where vegetation and creatures are allowed to live their natural lives, happens to be the best way to ensure that:

• Our air and water stay clean

• We reduce catastrophic flooding made worse by uncontrolled development.

• Negative impacts of urban development are mitigated and certain valuable agricultural and horticultural endeavors are protected.

Clean water

Rainwater washing across streets, driveways, construction sites, chemically treated yards, rooftops and other structures picks up contaminants and carries them to the nearest storm drain or stream or directly to the river. These contaminants cause significant changes in the biology of a living river, which can kill a variety of species, and can make the water untenable for recreation. Because the rainfall has less opportunity to be absorbed into the soil it accumulates quickly during moderate to heavy rain events and causes extreme flooding. Rain that falls in relatively undisturbed landscapes tends to be absorbed and filtered before it enters into any creeks or rivers.  Surface run off is cleaner for having filtered through natural vegetation and natural terrain before working its way to a river.

Water that enters the aquifer through recharge features without conveying pollutants can be further cleaned through natural filtration to the degree that we can drink it without significant treatment. 
And we do everyday in San Marcos as the aquifer is part of our city's water supply.

View the following websites for more information:

Trust for Public Land Report - San Marcos River Foundation - EPA Analysis: Economics and Watershed

Clean air        

Trees, and other vegetation, but particularly trees are excellent air cleaners when it comes to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.  Carbon dioxide is a by product of burning carbon fuels like gasoline and cooking and heating fuels and is the most abundant contributor to the greenhouse effect and global warming

Living things & and the impacts of the Urban Environment

Creatures like birds and fish, amphibians and mammals, insects, besides being fun to watch, are indicators of the health of an environment.  The critters also play an integral part in the life cycles of the plants and geology of their habitat.  Without them many species of plants, including some agriculturally valuable crops, simply could not survive.

The list of goods and services that urban forestry can provide is impressive. Trees and green spaces help keep cities cool, act as natural filters and noise absorbers; improve microclimates and protect and improve the quality of natural resources including soil, air, water, vegetation and wildlife. Trees contribute significantly to the aesthetic appeal of cities, thereby helping to maintain the psychological health of their inhabitants. For more info view: Agroforestry eJournal

Bibliography of the value of trees in an urban area: Heat Island Mitigation

Early 80's bibliography of shading and greenbelts for cooling efficiency:
University of Florida, Landscape to Conserve Energy

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