FOCAL POINT: Green Acres New WRAL Documentary Examines Rapid Pace of Land Development in North Carolina Airs Wednesday August 9 at 7pm

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.

Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Debbie Strange for this capcom story.