NAZARETH, Pa. — While the entirety of Northampton County’s Return on Environment report won’t be released until the fall, key findings managed to blossom early on Tuesday morning.
And the message is clear: the county’s environment has provided an absolute cornucopia of benefits for all, officials said at a news conference.
“Northampton County is committed to ensuring that this return keeps growing for our residents today and for generations to come. Our future is green in every sense of the word."Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure
The benefits aren't just health, but finances, as well, officials said.
And with a little help, it can continue offering up that abundance for years to come.
County Executive Lamont McClure was at Jacobsburg Environmental Center in Nazareth to review some early information from the ROE report.
McClure highlighted the economic value of open space, natural systems and environmental assets throughout the region.
As McClure put it, “Here in Northampton County, we have always recognized that our natural lands, parks, and trails are more than just scenery: They are essential infrastructure.”
The value of green
McClure said the county, through its livable landscapes program, has "invested in preserving open space, protecting water quality, expanding trails and improving ecological health.”
“Since 2006 Northampton County has invested more than $20 million to safeguard our open spaces," McClure said.
"Since 2018 alone, we have awarded $9.2 million in grants, preserved over 600 acres, and added another 339 acres to our park system.
"Today, I am here to show you exactly what these investments are delivering, and the value is staggering.”
He said that while the county’s open space is beautiful, it also works for residents and visitors every day.
According to the ROE, open space initiatives and their results have saved the county $37 million per year by naturally replenishing the water supply.
They also have provided $48 million in natural flood protection; and riparian buffers have offered up $13.5 million per year in clean water benefits.
Forests and meadows have provided $1.8 million in annual benefits with natural pest control and supported pollinator populations, which generate $21.3 million annually.
The initiatives reduced air pollution via trees at a value of $85 million annually, and the tree canopy, which stores 5.8 million tons of carbon for a lifetime service worth $2.5 billion.
'Not just ecological, it's financial'
“The economic value of the Return on Environment is not just ecological, it's financial," McClure said.
"I've always talked about Northampton County's future being green, and it isn't just the greenery we're surrounded by now, it's the greenery in your pockets."
McClure said protected open space has added $21.7 billion in total home value across Northampton County.
"Protected open space has added $21.7 billion in total home value across Northampton County. On average, a home within a quarter mile of open space is worth $12,800 more.”Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure
"Let's repeat that: Protected open space has added $21.7 billion in total home value across Northampton County," he said. "On average, a home within a quarter mile of open space is worth $12,800 more.”
According to McClure, the county’s agricultural industry contributes more than over $43 million to the local economy, supporting 705 jobs.
Outdoor recreation adds $436 million annually to the county’s GDP, supporting 2,000 jobs and $82 million in wages, he said.
Residents and visitors spend $263.4 million annually in local businesses, because, McClure said, “our parks, trails and open space are here and protected.”
“It's clear people want to live near green spaces, and that demand translates into measurable economic benefits,” he said.
Booming with benefits
The ROE review also highlighted the agricultural impact of local farmland.
McClure said the sector has evolved from 2014 to 2024, with some losses in traditional crops and the increase in specialty farming.
Agriculture in Northampton County directly accounts for $38.3 million in economic output, with crops contributing $30.5 million in livestock, poultry and related projects, according to the ROE.
Also grain contributes $7.8 million, and oil seed, dry beans and peas alone generate $19.9 million in output. Nursery and greenhouse production contributes $2.5 million fruits and berries, $2.3 million and vegetables and melons, $2.3 million.
“About 61 percent of agricultural trade value is retained within Pennsylvania, with key commodities like grains, vegetables, fish and beef cattle seeing over 90 percent in state retention when we include indirect and induced impacts," McClure said.
"The agricultural sector contributes $43.2 million to the economy, supports over 705 jobs and provides $7.6 million in employee compensation.”
Benefits 'not limited to finances'
McClure said the benefits of the county’s environmental investments are not limited to finances: Individuals and families across the region also see health benefits from the initiatives, he said.
"Next month, we will be celebrating our 20,000-acre preserve in Northampton County," he said. "The public health values our investments are also paying off in healthier lives.
“Northampton County is committed to ensuring that this return keeps growing for our residents today and for generations to come. Our future is green in every sense of the word."Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure
"Northampton County's parks, trails and open space are not just for recreation, they are critical for public health by giving people access to parks and trails.
"We are creating a health system that prevents illness, not just treats it,” McClure said.
He said physically active lifestyles tied to open space use save $9 million to $20 million per year in health care costs.
Time spent in nature also helps with mental health, McClure said, which translates into “at least $540,000 in annual mental health care savings.”
“In total, Northampton County's open space delivers $434.6 million dollar in benefits every year — every year — with another $2.5 billion in long-term state savings stored in our trees alone," he said.
"This is a true return on environment. These numbers confirm what we have always believed, protecting land is not an expense, it's one of the smartest investments we can make."
The report's findings will offer the county “a roadmap for the future,” McClure said, proving that every dollar invested in open space “pays dividends in cleaner water, healthier residents, stronger farms, higher property values and a more resilient economy.
“Northampton County is committed to ensuring that this return keeps growing for our residents today and for generations to come," he said.
"Our future is green in every sense of the word."
A Return on Environment
ESI Senior Vice President for Talent Development Rebecca Garvin DeJoseph said the report came together through seven different methodologies.
They start with natural systems services, looking at the per-acre benefits that would have to be paid for if they were not present in the community.
Property value impact analysis looks at regression analysis to find the value of open space for each home, DeJoseph said.
“We then look at the agricultural impact in which we use a multiplier effect," she said. "So we are producing a lot of things here in Northampton County.
"They are staying within Northampton County as well as being exported to the state and beyond. So that's where we get to our economic impact modeling of agriculture.
“And then we go into the usage. It's not just having open space here. It's that people are using the open space for physical and mental health benefits, as well as spending money while they're doing these activities.”
Those estimates then are used as part of a survey for residents to obtain more data, DeJoseph said.
The complete ROE has not been conducted since about 2014, McClure said.
