Best Nature-Friendly Places to Live in the U.S. to Be Announced June 24th

    WASHINGTON, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, June 24th, the best places
 to live in the U.S. for people who want nature and open space will be revealed
 in a new book being released by Island Press.  Entitled Nature-Friendly
 Communities, the book highlights nineteen communities that have done the most
 to safeguard natural landscapes and protect wildlife in the United States.
     The top nature-friendly communities are located in: Arizona, California,
 Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan,
 Minnesota, Montana, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and
 Wyoming.
     According to the new book, local governments are benefiting from their
 nature-minded actions and programs.  Not only is the quality of life improving
 for residents but local economies are profiting as infrastructure costs go
 down and property values go up.  The book provides information and tools for
 public officials, planners, conservationists and community leaders to
 transform their communities into nature-friendly areas.
 
     WHAT       Best Nature-Friendly Places to Live in the U.S. to be Announced
 
     WHEN       Friday, June 24th
 
     WHERE TO   Embargoed materials are available pre-release date.  Or visit
     GET MORE   http://www.naturefriendlytools.org starting at 3 AM Eastern,
     INFO       June 24th
 
 

SOURCE  Island Press