When we think of land and water conservation, housing might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But it should be. Because how—and where—we house people is one of the most important environmental decisions we make.

In cities and towns across the country, the lack of affordable housing near job centers and public transit is forcing people to move farther out. Families are pushed to the fringes of metro regions, where land is cheaper—but also where forests are cleared, farmland is paved, and fragile ecosystems are lost to new subdivisions. This isn’t just a housing problem; it’s a direct threat to conservation.

Sprawl is the silent killer of conservation. It fragments wildlife corridors, increases runoff into rivers and wetlands, and places more cars on the road, worsening air pollut

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