Christopher J. Duerksen

A powerful, yet funny confrontation between two brothers set in the contemporary West.

This report helps land-use planners understand the law of aesthetics and the legal tools available to help their communities maintain their special features and sense of place. It deals with four specific concerns from a legal perspective: building design review, scenic vistas and roadways, landscaping and tree protection, and signs, billboards, and other forms of outdoor communication.

"Nature-Friendly Communities tackles some of the thorniest problems of our communities today - land conservation, quality of life, and damaged habitats. And it offers the most creative and successful tools and programs to create healthier communities and a better quality of life." "In this book, Christopher Duerksen and Cara Snyder detail the most successful nature protection programs in towns and counties across America. They discover creative examples that other communities can easily follow and document the many social and economic benefits of living in a nature-friendly community." "The case studies range across the map looking at communities with unique environmental conditions, different political make-ups, and diverse local economies. They document the benefits of comprehensive nature protection efforts, analyze best community practices, and establish benchmarks for evaluating programs. Duerksen and Snyder summarize the most successful strategies that other communities can use to become nature-friendly communities." "Nature-Friendly Communities offers an inspiring overview of the increasing number of communities that have forged successful nature protection programs. This book is an essential resource for public officials, planners, environmentalists, and community activists."--Jacket.