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In the United States, 81% of the population live in urban areas (World Bank, 2014). Along with overall population numbers, this proportion is expected to increase in the future with corresponding impacts on the environment in America’s urban-rural fringe. As a result, many cities in the United States have implemented policies to protect natural areas.
This is especially true in Rhode Island. Over 21,000 hectares of forest were developed from 1972 to 1999 (Novak and Wang, 2004). The remaining forestland is becoming increasing fragmented due to parcel subdivision (Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, 2002). The state has lost 80% of its farmland since 1940, at least in part due to residential development (Rhode Island Land Trust Council). In anticipation of further development, Rhode Island’s Division of Planning has developed a plan, titled Land Use 2025, to protect natural land from encroaching urbanization. Overarching goals of the plan include the maintenance of an urban-rural distinction, further protection of the state’s natural areas, a continued emphasis on concentrated development, and greater coordination of planning with existing public infrastructure.
