These photos were taken on July 2 in downtown Keene. They show two vacant buildings that will become apartments and a performing arts center, if the city approves developers' plans. To enlarge a photo, click on it, then scroll down and click “see full size image.” photos by Eesha Williams

Most people who live in the Valley need a car to get to work or school, and to go shopping or visit friends.

Garmisch is a town in Germany with a population of about 26,000. It is surrounded by tens of thousands of acres of farmland and mountains covered in forest and criss-crossed by hiking trails. Almost every home in the area is within walking distance of downtown stores and offices, schools, and the train station, which has hourly fast service to other small towns and to the nearest big city, Munich. For this reason, people who live in Garmisch – and in most rural areas of Europe – don't need to own a car.

Lands trusts in the Valley protect farmland and forests from development. Most of the money for protecting farmland and forestland in the USA comes from the state and federal government. Politicians decide how much to invest in land protection, versus war.