EC Conference on Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure Applications in the U.S. Kris Hoellen, The Conservation Fund
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.
The Challenge of Growing Communities
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!
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
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
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
Green Infrastructure What Is It? Green Infrastructure Network Lands that Provide Associated Benefits for Human Populations Lands that Support Natural Ecosystem Values and Functions
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
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
What Green Infrastructure is Not! A program A short-term solution An isolated effort No growth or antidevelopment Green engineered structures
Why Plan & Protect Green Infrastructure?
Providing Ecosystem Services
Supporting Working Lands / Tourism
Selling Homes and Communities
Enhancing Quality of Life
Infrastructure Principles Context matters! From: Conservation in Practice, Summer 2002
Infrastructure Principles Connect network components to function as a whole!
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
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
Green-Grey Examples Planning the Green and the Grey as complementary systems. A transparent, defensible decision-making tool for selecting mitigation projects
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
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
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Conservation Plan Identifies and protects undeveloped sites to protect from future flooding Define development through conservation investments
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
US 301 Waldorf Area Transportation Improvements Project Maryland State Highway Administration Identification and Evaluation of Natural Resource Environmental Stewardship Opportunities Partners:
Midwest Region Wind Energy MSHCP 8 states 30 species 30 yr permit ~27 million acres of covered lands Full range of activities
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.
Strategic Land Planning & Conservation Land & Water Conservation Land Planning Water Resources Working Lands Transportation & Utilities Health and Recreation Landscape Architects Livable Communities
To Learn More Read the Book Attend the National Conference Feb. 23 25, 2011 Visit www.greeninfrastructure.net
Contact Kris Hoellen The Conservation Fund 698 Conservation Way Shepherdstown, WV 25443 khoellen@conservationfund.org 304-876-7462