In a significant win for conservation, the Kozmetsky family has chosen to sell their historic RGK Ranch in Travis County, Texas, to be transformed into a public park, rather than accepting a far more lucrative offer from developers. Situated just 30 minutes from Austin’s bustling tech sector and cultural hotspots, the 1,507-acre ranch was sold for $90 million, a stark $40 million less than what developers were willing to pay. The property, which had permits for extensive residential and commercial development, is now preserved for public use, ensuring that the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Hill Country remain intact. This decision was greatly influenced by the family’s deep-rooted connection to the land and their desire to honor the legacy of George Kozmetsky, who had made significant entrepreneurial and philanthropic contributions to the region.

The RGK Ranch, once slated to become a dense urban development, will now join the ranks of Hamilton Pool Preserve and Reimers Ranch Park, creating a contiguous protected area of 5,430 acres in the heart of the rapidly growing Travis County. This effort is part of a broader initiative, facilitated by the Nature Conservancy and supported by the Proposition B Parks Bond Measure passed by Austin voters, to safeguard the region’s unique ecosystems and recreational spaces. With plans to expand the protected areas to a combined total of 8,600 acres, the new park will provide critical wildlife corridors and hiking trails, enhancing the public’s access to nature while preserving the environmental integrity of the Hill Country. The Kozmetsky family retains 90 acres of the original ranch, maintaining personal ties to the land, and the county holds first-refusal rights for any future sale, ensuring the long-term preservation of this cherished landscape.

The historic memorandum signed on March 19, 2024, marks a significant milestone as the Yurok Tribe becomes the first tribe to co-manage land with the National Park Service in northern California. This momentous agreement, which transfers a vital 125-acre parcel known as ‘O Rew back to the Yurok Tribe, represents a step towards rectifying historical injustices and recognizing Indigenous land management practices. For centuries, the towering Redwood trees have been integral to the culture and sustenance of the Yurok people, yet much of their ancestral lands were taken through exploitation for gold and lumber. With the signing of this agreement, the Yurok Tribe, in partnership with the Save the Redwoods League, the National Park Service, and California State Parks, is poised to establish a new conservation model that honors the value of Tribal land stewardship.

As the official owners of ‘O Rew, the Yurok Tribe is committed to preserving this land as a gateway to the majestic Redwood parks while restoring its ecological integrity. Through initiatives such as reseeding native plants and restoring Prairie Creek, which serves as a vital salmon habitat, the Tribe aims to revitalize the natural landscape and support biodiversity. Additionally, plans for educational and cultural sites, including visitor and cultural centers, will provide opportunities for visitors to learn about the rich heritage and traditions of the Yurok people. This historic agreement not only paves the way for Indigenous lands to be integrated into the management of national parks but also underscores the importance of collaboration and reconciliation in safeguarding natural and cultural heritage for generations to come.

Full of youthful energy and optimism, two college buddies embarked on a unique adventure after recently graduating from college. Pooling their resources, they scraped together just enough money to purchase a breathtaking plot of land cradled on three sides by the vast expanse of Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Years passed, marked by camping trips, shared cocktails, and fond memories. As retirement loomed on the horizon, the friends, now firmly bonded, decided to elevate their cherished slice of heaven to a new level. Enlisting the expertise of Imbue Design, they sought to bring their decades-old vision to life, resulting in a modest yet remarkable off-grid desert retreat surrounded by the epic beauty of the national monument.

The primary goal was clear from the outset – the retreat had to honor the essence of the unique landscape while promoting a simple and harmonious way of life within it. The structure was meticulously placed near the base of a bluff, minimizing its visual impact from a distance while preserving stunning views from within. Crafted from rugged materials such as Cor-Ten steel, split-face concrete block, and cedar, the residence seamlessly blends into its surroundings, aging gracefully with the passage of time.

Comprising two volumes capped by shed roofs, connected by clerestory windows, the understated yet striking design prioritizes views, light, and breezes from the expansive desert panorama. Outdoor spaces flank every side, with living areas extending onto observation decks and patios, offering immersive experiences in the profound stillness of the desert landscape. Located miles away from utilities, the cabin is entirely off-grid, relying on a detached photovoltaic array for energy, a well for water, and a septic field for sanitation. To withstand the harsh desert climate, the retreat incorporates passive energy strategies, including calculated overhangs, thermal mass, and strategically placed operable windows, all encapsulated within a super-tight, super-insulated thermal envelope with high-performing windows.

Big companies taking over people’s land to build apartments is a commonly met practice which has been going on for a long time in different places of the world. It also happened in Poland where a farmer’s land was slowly surrounded by a newly built residential complex until a small piece of land remained the only island still standing.
In the city of Lubin, this agricultural land resides between apartment buildings, and locals have captured pictures of how the owner, a farmer, has been harvesting his crops every season.
The farmer refused to sell his property to the developers, and now he takes care of his parcel whenever he has the time. The residents say they don’t mind having him around, as he creates a rural feeling in the middle of the urban jungle. It can be actually nice to see a land full of crops when you look out the window, instead of concrete buildings, shop signs, and supermarkets.
Also, it is a comforting thought to know that your children grow up in such an area, rather than on some busy and polluted street filled with cars.

“Some would give anything for such views. For my daughter, (there’s) only concrete and supermarkets,” the farmer in the region, Michael Myslowski, said, according to Outsider. “Nice of you not to complain about dust or noise. Respect for you, let there be more like you. I greet you as a farmer’s son.”

Dubai has constructed the world’s most extravagant sand castles. With names like Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, these massive manmade islands owe their existence to ostentatious ambitions and spectacular engineering feats.

The Palm Islands are an artificial archipelago in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on which major commercial and residential infrastructures will be constructed. They are being constructed by Nakheel Properties, a property developer in the United Arab Emirates, who hired Belgian and Dutch dredging and marine contractor Jan De Nul and Van Oord, some of the world’s specialists in land reclamation. The islands are the Palm Jumeirah, the Palm Jebel Ali and the Palm Deira.