RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina land conservation coalition is calling on the state legislature for $800 million over the next five years.

Land for Tomorrow on Monday requested funding to protect about 400,000 more acres of land and 1,750 miles of waterways. Proponents say the green space will improve resident's quality of life and help attract employers.

"To put that in perspective, it's less than one percent of the state's overall budget and a drop in the bucket really in terms of the returns we get for clean water, air, flood control," said Elizabeth Ouzts, director of Environment North Carolina.

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