Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect benefits that ecosystems provide humans. Some examples of ecosystem services provided by parks, open space, and public land include:

• Cooling and shade - green space can often be 5 to 10 degrees cooler than areas with lots of pavement and buildings, within the same city.
• Habitat for birds and insects - these creatures help pollinate flowers and crops in our area.
• Carbon capture - trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, making the air we breathe cleaner and decreasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The National Forests and open public lands around Hailey act as tremendous carbon-capturing ecosystems.
• Mental, social, and physical well-being - parks and public lands provide our community with spaces to gather with others, explore and play, and feel more connected to the world around us. These benefits strengthen community ties and build resilience across neighborhoods.