The connection between brownfields and sustainability is particularly strong for properties with the potential for conversion into ecologically valuable lands. This opportunity is best for properties with low redevelopment potential, low market demand and a high cost for resolving environmental issues. (See “Rural Surplus Properties,” BNSD, Feb. 2008)

Ecological restoration of brownfields can recapture value through sale, charitable contribution, tax reduction from original use, or green carbon credits. Ecological restoration ranges from the creation of parks and recreation areas to certification as a wildlife habitat area or donation to a land trust for long-term wildlife protection.

Urban brownfields in gas station-sized parcels can be suited to greening as small parks. Although not large enough for active physical activities, they can provide a home to urban wildlife and green space for the community. Larger tracts can be converted to city parks and recreation areas. Some old landfills work well as naturalized areas, since it is expensive to construct building foundations over a landfill.

Support organizations can make the technical greening process easier. Trust for Public Land (www.tpl.org) is a nonprofit with a focus on conserving land for parks, community gardens and historic sites. The organization helps identify funding sources and sometimes purchases a property until it can be permanently protected by a government or community land trust. Since 1994, the organization has helped states and communities with more than 330 successful ballot measures, generating almost $25 billion in new conservation-related funding.

Another nonprofit, the Project for Public Spaces (www.pps.org) is dedicated to creating and sustaining public places within communities. The organization, which provides training and facilitation, is a resource for best practices and information on its public space placemaking process.

Portions of underutilized industrial sites once referred to as the “back 40” may be suitable for wildlife.

The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) (www.wildlifehc.org) is a nonprofit organization that has facilitated the restoration of hundreds of surplus industrial properties to green space. Its Brownfield Land Restoration Program was developed in cooperation with several U.S. EPA programs. Under this voluntary program, a WHC ecologist recommends and certifies a program to enhance wildlife on underutilized industrial sites.

Other nonprofits, like Ducks Unlimited (www.ducks.org), are also active in wetland and ecological restoration projects.

A conservation easement is the transfer of usage rights on a property, creating a legally enforceable land preservation agreement between a landowner and a municipality or qualified land protection organization. The purpose is to protect valuable natural resources.

Property with a conservation easement can be retained by the original owner with the easement managed by a land trust, or the property can be sold or donated. The land trust, a nonprofit private charitable organization, can purchase or receive properties, including brownfields. The Land Trust Alliance (www.lta.org), which represents over 1,600 land trusts, reports that the number of acres protected by local and state trusts has increased from 4.7 million acres in 1998 to over 11.7 million acres in 2005. The alliance provides guidelines and training on how to value properties and manage a land trust.

A conservation easement can potentially provide beneficial tax benefits for brownfield owners, including a charitable donation or a tax benefit. Land appraisal is a sophisticated issue for brownfields and conservation easements. The Appraisal Institute provides in-depth seminars on valuation of conservation easements (www.appraisalinstitute.org).

The U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development (www.us-bcsd.org) has a major initiative to set economic incentives for upgrading and conserving ecosystems. Its Ecosystems Services Working Group is developing a pilot project to demonstrate the market values of services provided by ecosystems such as clean air, water, biodiversity, and climate stability.

The Green Brownfields Initiative joins stakeholders to create long-term land use plans for brownfield-type sites that will achieve meaningful ecological and open space benefits.

Ecological restoration of brownfields can be a sustainable and beneficial opportunity for landowners, especially those with upside-down properties.

Ken Kastman, P.E., is a vice president and senior principal engineer at URS Corp. in Chicago.