“Improved” Land

“Improved” Land. . In the early 1800s, the area that would become Walton County was sparsely settled and more and more white Americans sought land in northeast Georgia. Settlers wanted more of the land owned by the Muscogee Creek Indian tribes and the Cherokee Nation, which did not look used to them. However, the landscape owed much of its character to generations of Native management practices, particularly the use of fire. Native peoples regularly burned areas for hunting, pest reduction, and clearing land for gardens, creating a distinctly human-shaped environment. In addition, the land harbored burial grounds and other sacred lands. , After many treaties, the Creeks and Cherokees were forced out of the area and the land was sold to the state of Georgia. The new government looked at land use very differently from the native peoples, grouping acreage into two main categories: improved and unimproved. Unimproved or raw land was considered not developed to its full potential. In the 1800s, this largely meant agricultural potential. Improved land was cleared of trees and put into crops, pasture, or buildings and consequently worth more. This definition of “improved” land had no consideration for other land use values such as native cultural value or wildlife habitat. , Today, a growing awareness of our dependence on the natural world is changing our approach to valuing of land. More and more communities are recognizing the value of “raw” land for the tangible and intangible ecosystem services it provides. Examples include carbon storage, nutrient cycling, water and air purification, recreation, spirituality, and inspiration.