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FOCAL POINT: Green Acres
New WRAL Documentary Examines Rapid Pace of Land Development in North Carolina
Airs Wednesday August 9 at 7pm
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Conservation groups say that development consumes nearly 400 acres of forest and farmland a day in North Carolina, an area about the size of 300 football fields. It’s one sign of a robust economy, but at what cost to our environment and our quality of life? WRAL’s new Focal Point documentary, Green Acres, looks at the rapid pace of development in North Carolina and efforts to preserve the green spaces that make North Carolina such a beautiful place to live. The program, hosted by WRAL News anchor Bill Leslie, airs Wednesday, August 9 at 7pm.
Studies show that over the last 20 years, North Carolina’s population has increased 42% while the amount of developed land in our state has increased 82%. During that time the state has lost nearly three million acres of forests and farmland to development. Dozens of conservation and environmental groups are concerned about that rapid loss of green space because trees and vegetation help protect streams and rivers from polluted run-off and help clean the air. Natural areas also provide opportunities for recreation, including hiking, hunting and fishing. They also contribute to the quality of life that helps attract new business and helps sustain tourism, which is North Carolina’s second largest industry.
Focal Point: Green Acres looks at how development is affecting ordinary people and places across North Carolina. It examines development trends that may hold the key to managing growth in a way that protects important green spaces and it looks at how conservation groups are scrambling to protect land in the face of rapid growth and skyrocketing land prices.
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About Focal Point
Green Acres is the twelfth episode in the WRAL News series called Focal Point. These in-depth news documentaries focus on a single topic, bringing depth and clarity to complicated issues facing North Carolina. From North Carolina’s economy and environment, to health care and race relations – Focal Point takes viewers inside the lives of the people most affected. Focal Point tackles the tough questions with leaders and policymakers who have the power to effect change. WRAL News anchors, including David Crabtree, Pam Saulsby, Bill Leslie, Gerald Owens and Debra Morgan, host the series. Six to eight new episodes of Focal Point are produced each year.
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Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Debbie Strange for this capcom story.
