What is the connection between endangered habitat for ducks on the Katy and other prairies and walkable neighborhoods in Houston? The connection is that walkable neighborhoods are much more compact than conventional, large-lot neighborhoods. A walkable neighborhood might use as little as 1/10 the space of a conventional neighborhood. Developing as we have, Houston will consume an additional 1000 square miles of farmlands, prairies, and forests. So the connection for Houston is 900 square miles! For a little more detail on this, read this Houston Chronicle editorial on how the light rail could help save some of those square miles of habitat.
Photo Credits: Jim Charlier and Joe Fischer (http://www.pbase.com/joe_e_fischer/image/107684325)
John Jacob
Steven Mikulencak
Charriss York
Watershed Texas 