The Northampton County Open Space program got its start with a bond issue in 2001.

In 2004, the Northampton County 21st Century Open Space Initiative was established and its first round of projects were submitted in 2005. However, with the county committing to the hiring of a full-time Open Space Coordinator Bryan Cope was brought on in April 2013, and since then, the open space program has gained significant momentum.

There are three programs within the 21st Century Open Space Initiative, each with focuses on different areas of Northampton County's natural resources. They are the Open Space and Natural Areas Program, Municipal Park Acquisition and Development and Farmland Preservation program.

The purpose of the Open Space and Natural Areas Program is to protect the county's important natural features by assisting municipalities and nonprofit organizations in acquiring and/or permanently preserving land where these resources are found. Roughly 1,058 acres have been preserved up to 2007, with 446.60 more acres approved for preservation in 2013 and 2014, which equates to 42 percent of the land preserved since 2007.

The focus of Municipal Park Acquisition and Development is investing back into communities to acquire land and rehabilitate existing municipal parks. Phase I ran from 2004 to 2010 and included 30 projects. Phase II is a five-year program, which has a $5 million allocation, with $1 million per year issued in grants to the municipalities.

The applicant must provide 50 percent of the funds needed, to match the amount granted from the county. Municipal funds, federal grants, state grants, private contributions or private donations may be used to meet that requirement. Twenty-nine projects have been funded to 17 municipalities in the past two years of the program with an incredible 31 percent increase in matching grants observed in 2014.

The Farmland Preservation Program was established in the county in 1989 and preserved its first farm in 1993. It was included in the Open Space initiative in 2004. The program encourages economic and financial health for the long-term sustainability of agriculture.

The program celebrated the 20th anniversary of its first preserved farm last year, which was preserved in 1993.

In 2011, Maria Bentzoni, farmland preservation administrator, created the Northampton County Farmland Partnership program. This program allows for those municipalities who have enacted an earned income tax for open space, to participate with farmland preservation efforts, which will have a direct positive impact on their communities. To date, the program has preserved 13,782 acres on 148 farms.

Two of the largest benefits of the Open Space Program, besides the dedication to sustaining the environment, are the improvements to quality of life and the economy. With the enhancement of these natural resources and the increased opportunity for recreation, the quality of life for individuals who live in the communities around them increases significantly.

Parks and greenways provide safer and more pleasant routes for the elderly to walk or children to ride their bicycles. The residents in the communities reap the health benefits of increased physical activity, and more walkable communities take cars off the road. Increased quality of life leads to more people moving into these areas, creating a positive impact on their economies. Homes within a quarter mile of recreational areas see an average added value of $14,600 per home. In addition, sales of equipment for running, biking and water sports increase when recreational areas are readily available. And finally, with the potential for events such as marathons to be held, tourism increases.

The impact of the Open Space Program has been significant on the environment of Northampton County and beyond. The number of projects completed is astounding, with many more in the works. With so much of the modern-day focus on developing, natural resources are now receiving the attention they need and deserve.

The preservation and renovation of these areas will be enjoyed for generations to come, and will continue to benefit those who seek the comfort of nature.