Picture yourself on a trail on Storm King Mountain in upstate New York. After scampering over rocks, you stop to admire the oaks that grace the landscape. Departing from the trailhead in the morning, you ascend toward the summit through a thick blanket of fog until you reach its cliffs.

Imagine a local government weighing two futures for a 100-acre plot of pristine wetlands. On one hand, a developer offers a $50 million subdivision, promising immediate property taxes and housing. On the other hand, the existing marsh sits quietly, apparently “worthless” on a balance sheet.