A recent study found that from 1976 to 2006, developed acreage in Western North Carolina increased from 34,348 to 229,422, while human population increased from 545,100 to 774,281, yielding a 400% increase in human footprint. If you want to ask a planner how the green mountains will be protected against unmitigated human footprint, or if you want to tell a planner what you think he should do about it, AND if you don’t have to be at work September 22, you could attend the “Exploring Growth and Development in the Land of Sky” event from 2:30-5:00 at the Land of Sky Regional Council offices at 339 New Leicester Highway, Suite 140.