Green Infrastructure and Transportation

Green Infrastructure and TransportationIntroduction to Green Infrastructure Concepts and PrinciplesKris HoellenDirector, Conservation Leadership NetworkThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Mission & Program Areas“The Conservation Fund forges partnerships to conserveAmerica’s legacy of land and water resources.”“Through land acquisition, sustainable programs, andleadership training, the Fund and its partners demonstratesustainable conservation solutions emphasizing the integrationof economic and environmental goals.”The Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

TCF Regional OfficesStaff: 120 Nationwide• Alaska• California• Colorado•Delaware• Florida• Georgia•Idaho• Illinois• Maryland•Michigan•Minnesota•Montana•Nevada•New Mexico• North Carolina•Oregon• Pennsylvania• South Carolina•Texas•Vermont• West VirginiaThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

USFWSDept of the ArmyUSEPAUS Forest ServiceNPSBLMNMFSFHWAThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Eco-Logical -- Green Infrastructure“An Ecosystem Approach to Developing InfrastructureProjects”• Goal Driven• Collaboratively developed vision• Integrates ecological, economic and social factors• Geographic framework defined by ecologicalboundaries• Transportation Benefits: ecosystem based mitigation= predictability, efficiency, cost-effectivenessThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Green Infrastructure – What Is It?“An interconnected networkof natural lands and otheropen spaces thatconserves ecosystemvalues and functions andprovides associated benefitsto human populations”The Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

The Challenge of Growing CommunitiesWhat’s needed? Tools to be more strategic!Which landsto conserve?Where to permitdevelopment?Where to constructroads & utilities?A framework tointegrate & inform!The Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Green Infrastructure – What Is It? Hubs – anchorthe system Links – tie thesystem together Sites – smallerareas, may notbe attached Lands - public,private & non-profit Scales - statewide,regional & community Landscapes -Urban, suburban,rural & wildThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Green Infrastructure – What Is It?Green InfrastructureNetworkLands that ProvideAssociated Benefits forHuman PopulationsLands that SupportNatural EcosystemValues and FunctionsThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Green Infrastructure ApproachA science-base processthat brings together: Natural resource,land planning and built/greyinfrastructure professionals Elected andappointed officials The interestedpublicThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Relating Green to GrayGreen Infrastructure and Gray InfrastructureBoth Require:‣ Strategic planningto ensure optimal /functional systems‣ Financing fordesign andmaintenance‣ Management tomaintain services &maximize benefitsIdeally Are:‣ Planned simultaneouslybefore development‣ Given equal priorityin the planning process‣ Planned as complimentarysystems‣ Given equal attentionin the funding processThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

What Green Infrastructure is Not! A program A short-term solution An isolated effort No growth or antidevelopment “Green” engineeredstructuresThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

What Are the Origins of the GreenInfrastructure Approach? Protecting & linkingparks and other greenspaces for the benefitof people Preserving & linkingnatural areas to benefitbiodiversity and counterhabitat fragmentationTwo Guiding Concepts“At present, not one park is large enough to provide year-round sanctuaryfor adequate populations of all resident species. . . ” George Wright, 1932The Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

What Are the Origins of the GreenInfrastructure Approach?American Greenways MovementThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Why Plan & Protect Green Infrastructure?The Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Providing Ecosystem ServicesThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Supporting Working Lands / TourismThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

“Selling” Homes and CommunitiesThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Enhancing Quality of LifeThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Green InfrastructureSounds similar to the goals of….… Context Sensitive SolutionsThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Green Infrastructure - How?Steps forUndertaking AGreenInfrastructureInitiative In YourCommunityFrom: Community Open Space Partnership (WI), 2004The Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Keys to SuccessCreate a Leadership Group to guideyour green infrastructure initiativeThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Keys to SuccessDesign a green infrastructure network to linkcomponents across scales & political boundariesCORRIDORHUBBUFFERHUBCORRIDORBUFFERCORRIDORBUFFERHUBCONNECTIONINTER-REGIONALThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Keys to SuccessGreen Infrastructure Network:Identify desired network features and gather data that representstheir spatial arrangement across the landscape Natural Areas and Features Watersheds / Water Flow ways Wildlife / Wildlife MovementCorridors Nature-Based Trails and Parks Outdoor Education Cultural ResourcesThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Keys to SuccessGreen Infrastructure Network:Lay out the network to connect important green space elementsacross multiple landscapes, jurisdictions, and scalesThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Keys to SuccessDevelop an “implementation quilt” to makeyour network design a realityThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Keys to SuccessGreen Infrastructure Implementation Quilt:Match financial, management and other identified tools to thedifferent elements of your green infrastructure networkHistoric SiteConservationEasementConservationDevelopmentFloodplainRegulationMitigationBankPark SiteFee SimpleAcquisitionWorkingLands BMPsThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Keys to SuccessGreen Infrastructure Implementation Quilt:Identify the various people, programs and organizations that canact to implement the different elements of your networkGovernmentAgencyPrivateLandownerConservationNonprofit / NGOBusiness &IndustrySite ProtectionSite RestorationSite ManagementThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

The Benefits of Takinga Green InfrastructureApproach toLand PlanningThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

The Benefits of Taking a Green InfrastructureApproach to Land Planning Provides a mechanism forconservation action that isundertaken in concert with: Growth Management Land Development Built Infrastructure Planning Smart Growth EffortsThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

The Benefits of Taking a Green InfrastructureApproach to Land Planning and Conservation Results in a logical, systematic and scientificallybased framework for integrating ongoingland conservation and land planning actions.The Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Transportation Planning and GreenInfrastructure• GI Plans can inform Transportation Plans, and viceversa• GI plans can help transportation planningorganizations (State DOTs and MPOs) meet 6001requirements• GI Plans can save Transportation staff time andlead to more streamlined reviews• For Conservation interests – the focus is on howthe ‘grey’ can further promote ‘green’ goalsThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

Strategic Land Planning & ConservationLand & WaterConservationLandPlanningWaterResourcesWorkingLandsTransportation& UtilitiesHealth andRecreationLandscapeArchitectsLivableCommunitiesThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation

To Learn MoreRead the New Book -Island Press, Spring 2006!Take the Next Course -March 12 – 16 in KansasCity; March 26 – 30 inAnchorage, AK.Visit the Website - www.greeninfrastructure.netThe Conservation Fund – Partners in Land and Water Conservation