EC Conference on Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure Applications in the U.S. Kris Hoellen, The Conservation Fund

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1 EC Conference on Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure Applications in the U.S. Kris Hoellen, The Conservation Fund

2 The Conservation Fund Partners in Land & Water Conservation Mission & Program Areas The Conservation Fund forges partnerships to conserve America s legacy of land and water resources. Through land acquisition, sustainable programs, and leadership training, the Fund and its partners demonstrate sustainable conservation solutions emphasizing the integration of economic and environmental goals.

3 The Challenge of Growing Communities

4 The Challenge of Growing Communities What s needed? Tools to be more strategic! Which lands to conserve? Where to permit development? Where to construct roads & utilities? A framework to integrate & inform!

5 Green Infrastructure What Is It? Strategically planned and managed networks of natural lands, working landscapes and other open spaces that conserve ecosystem values and functions and provide associated benefits to human populations

6 Green Infrastructure Networks Hubs anchor the system Links tie the system together Sites smaller areas, may not be attached Lands - public, private & non-profit Scales - statewide, regional & community Landscapes - urban, suburban, rural & wild

7 Network Design Tools: Hub/Core/Corridor Delineation Core Areas: Contain fully functional natural ecosystems Provide high-quality habitat for native plants and animals Hubs: Slightly fragmented aggregations of core areas, plus contiguous natural cover Corridors: Link core areas together Allow animal movement and seed and pollen transfer between core areas 7

8 Green Infrastructure What Is It? Green Infrastructure Network Lands that Provide Associated Benefits for Human Populations Lands that Support Natural Ecosystem Values and Functions

9 Green Infrastructure Approach A science-based process that brings together: Natural resource, land planning and built infrastructure professionals Elected and appointed officials The interested public

10 Relating Green to Gray Green Infrastructure and Gray Infrastructure Both Require: Strategic planning to ensure optimal / functional systems Financing for design and maintenance Management to maintain services & maximize benefits Ideally Are: Planned simultaneously before development Given equal priority in the planning process Planned as complementary systems Given equal attention in the funding process

11 What Green Infrastructure is Not! A program A short-term solution An isolated effort No growth or antidevelopment Green engineered structures

12 Why Plan & Protect Green Infrastructure?

13 Providing Ecosystem Services

14 Supporting Working Lands / Tourism

15 Selling Homes and Communities

16 Enhancing Quality of Life

17 Infrastructure Principles Context matters! From: Conservation in Practice, Summer 2002

18 Infrastructure Principles Connect network components to function as a whole!

19 Scales of Green Infrastructure A strategically planned and managed network of natural lands, working landscapes, and other open spaces that conserves ecosystem values and functions and provides associated benefits to human populations Fairbanks, AK Anchorage, AK Salt Lake City, UT Fayetteville, AR Minneapolis, MN Houston, TX Numerous Counties

20 Recent Examples Nashville needs to be a city for families." Karl Dean Inaugural Address September 21, 2007 Green space and open space are a quality of life issue, an environmental issue and an economic issue, Karl Dean, January 7, 2010

21 Green-Grey Examples Planning the Green and the Grey as complementary systems. A transparent, defensible decision-making tool for selecting mitigation projects

22 NiSource Green Infrastructure Project NiSource Natural gas transmission company Operation and maintenance activities impact endangered species US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Enforce Endangered Species Act Streamline project review while enhancing species protection NiSource pipeline network 14 States 15,500 linear miles 6.4 million acres

23 Project Components Assess endangered species impacts across the entire pipeline network over the long-term Develop Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Utilize green infrastructure approach to implement strategic mitigation

24 Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Conservation Plan Identifies and protects undeveloped sites to protect from future flooding Define development through conservation investments

25 MMSD Results 1,881 acres conserved 58 properties acquired $13,650,583 spent to date $5,240,381 in grants awarded 603,476,052 gallons of water conserved

26 US 301 Waldorf Area Transportation Improvements Project Maryland State Highway Administration Identification and Evaluation of Natural Resource Environmental Stewardship Opportunities Partners:

27 Midwest Region Wind Energy MSHCP 8 states 30 species 30 yr permit ~27 million acres of covered lands Full range of activities

28 Keys to Success Beyond the Data! Strategically create a leadership group to guide the GI initiative; involve a broad array of people, programs & organizations; Develop a financing strategy for both short & long term; Develop an implementation quilt to make the network design a reality tools, programs, people matched with network elements no silver bullet; Continuously communicate the benefits craft clear message points for a variety of constituencies.

29 Strategic Land Planning & Conservation Land & Water Conservation Land Planning Water Resources Working Lands Transportation & Utilities Health and Recreation Landscape Architects Livable Communities

30 To Learn More Read the Book Attend the National Conference Feb , 2011 Visit

31 Contact Kris Hoellen The Conservation Fund 698 Conservation Way Shepherdstown, WV