Tools to Take Home Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscapes and Communities

Tools to Take Home

Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscapes and Communities

(A Work in Progress 4/30/99 version) 

National Town Meeting for Sustainable America

May 3, 1999 in Detroit, Michigan

CONTENTS

Background

3 President's Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD), Chapter 4, Metropolitan and Rural Strategies

3 Definitions/Terms

3 Green Infrastructure Lessons and Conclusions

Principles of Green Infrastructure

Tools

3 What Do I Need to Know?

3 Who can I Work With?

3 How does this Approach Work Best (processes)?

3 Where has the Approach been Used?

3 Where can I Learn More About Green Infrastructure?

3 What are the Common Problems I will encounter?

Future Events and Activities

3 Events to Participate In

3 Additional Information

BACKGROUND

The President's Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD), Chapter 4, Metropolitan and Rural Strategies, states that:

Sustainable and livable community concepts are becoming mainstream, and communities all across the country are implementing innovative initiatives and projects.  However, many existing efforts face technical, financial, and institutional obstacles, and it is difficult to nurture new ideas and pilot programs so they gain wider acceptance and use.

The report addresses the fundamental question: What will it take to help sustainable and livable community initiatives ``get over the hump'' from inspiration to implementation?  In our view, the principles needed for greater success have not yet become the way America's communities do business and need to be applied more widely.  We also agree that concerted and coordinated investment in five community development areas - green infrastructure, land use and development, community revitalization and reinvestment, rural enterprise and community development, and materials reuse and resource efficiency - could make a substantial difference.

Finally, the report suggests three types of tools are critical to overcoming major implementation obstacles: information and technical assistance, economic incentives and financial assistance, and local capacity and partnerships.

For more information:  (www.whitehouse.gov/PCSD/index.html)

Definition and Terms

3 Green Infrastructure (PCSD - Metropolitain and Rural Strategies Task Force, 1999): The network of open space, airsheds, watersheds, woodlands, wildlife habitat, parks, and other natural areas, which may provide vital services that sustain life and enrich the quality of life. 

3 Sustainability (Brundtland Commission, 1987): Development that allows people `` . . . to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.''

3 Sustainability (Presidents Council on Sustainable Development, 1996 & 1997):   `` . . . essential to seek economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social equity together,'' and ``decisions must consider and account for: long-term impacts and consequences, interdependencies, participation and transparency, equity, and proactive prevention.''

3 Sustainability (combined working definition, 1999):  Development that allows people `` . . . to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'' in a way that ``seeks economic prosperity, environmental, and social equity together.''

"The real infrastructure is air, land and water" -- Bill Morrish, University of Minnesota

Green Infrastructure Lessons and Conclusions...as Revealed by Forum Participants  -- Comments from the March 17 & 18, 1999 Green Infrastructure Forum (a National Town Meeting Affiliate Session)

The concept exists and is being refined through use at all levels of government and by the private sector as part of development and to improve quality of life.  Brings people and land together.  Its a worldwide phenomenon...crossing boundaries (jurisdictions, watersheds, nations).  Many candles need to be lit.  Should listen to our colleagues overseas.  

There is an emerging groundswell for putting "green infrastructure" into practice and building a  language for "green infrastructure" that conveys its necessity.  "Infrastructure" is the key word.  Terminology (e.g., green, natural, living infrastructure) is really important.  Use language people can relate to and understand.  Must translate and make relevant to different professions (e.g., public safety, crime prevention, community/economic revitalization). 

Moving from thinking about "green infrastructure only as greenway planning of rails, trails, and corridors to "network" of interconnected open space.  It is broader, more ecologically based, focusing on multiple uses and providing a whole spectrum of values, services, and function.  Its a "life support system".  Policy is moving from sectoral to systems approaches.

Green infrastructure is a marriage of art and science, focusing on the ecological structures which allow the natural system to do work for us.  Contains a strong design element tied to personal connections with land, water, and place.  Scientific data gives us insights and indicators of how we are doing.

Reflects sound thinking and serious beliefs about the essential elements of sustainability; and offers a framework for local action.  The social, economic, and ecological context is important.  Decisions influence water, plants, wildlife, people, budgets, quality of life, prosperity.

Success depends upon demonstration, demonstration, demonstration.  Strong project focus gives us a chance to work it out on the ground.  Learn by doing.  Offers people the opportunity to take responsibility.  Takes a long time to shift the way things are done.

Through practice, principles include providing multi-functional framework for development and creating linkages.  Need to foster agreement on the principles.

Good public awareness is critical, especially for statewide efforts, of the lessons learned and benefits of "green infrastructure."  Separation of State and local initiatives is a problem.  States can help connect the "large concepts" to local efforts.  Often don't know what is going on in other states.

Helps bring together interests, including conservationists, recreationists, engineers, and others to collaborate and identify strategic investments.  Helps organize people to work on behalf of their environment.  Build partnerships. Local government managers are pivotal.

Beginning to think about a system of funding for "green infrastructure"...like infrastructure funding for highways and transportation.  Understanding the economic values of "green infrastructure" is important.  Don't have to find new money, already sitting on money for water, water supply, and infrastructure, for instance.  Also includes multiple ownership options for managing lands.

Many cities were built without understanding nature.  People have lost the ability to read the world and their landscape.  Provides education opportunities.  Relevant for existing cities and places...not just new towns or resort developments.

Data, technology, and tools are available...including natural resource tools which are often missing.  Disciplinary experts can help communities and local experts by preparing data, using technology, and providing tools.  Geographic Information Systems help give community vision.

We lose track of our best practices.  Need information exchange  and a toolbox.  Interest in "green infrastructure" training exists.  Develop a curriculum.  Kids should be involved.  It's doable.  

PRINCIPLES OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Successful green infrastructure approaches reflect an emphasis on community agreement on principles rather than fixed or predetermined standards. The principles are not intended to be prescriptive but rather to encourage performance-based actions and use. The following principles are reflective of many ongoing green infrastructure projects from around the country and the world.  

Green infrastructure efforts:

3 Describe, and define natural resource values and functions in ``whole-system,'' place-based context in order to understand important ecological, cultural and economic linkages and relationships.

3 Recognize that certain environmental and natural resource values provide public values, goods and services which are essential to a community meeting overall quality of life objectives.

3 Are best developed at the community level, in recognition of all legitimate beneficial public and private uses, with the least adverse impact on economic, community and environmental assets and objectives.

3 Rely on voluntary, rather than regulatory, approaches which are sensitive to the economic value of land, private property and local home rule.

3 Can provide a community with regulatory predictability which increases a community's ability to protect and prosper.

3 Requires non-traditional and broad-based alliances for planning, funding, management and monitoring.

TOOLS

What do I need to know? (Natural Resource Information):

Values and functions:

3 Evaluate the environmental, community and economic benefits that natural resources provide the community or region.

3 Understand the ecological context for decision-making.

3 For more information see:

1) Establish an ecological context for decision-making  --  City Green software (www.americanforests.org)

2) Southern River Swamp: A Multiple-Use Environment, Wharton, Charles, H. Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. 1970

3) Cities and Natural Process, Hough, Michael

4) The Fragment Connection, Stolzenburg, Wiiliam, The Nature Conservancy, 1991

5) Environmental Protection and Economic Well-Being, Power, Thomas M.

Benefits:

3 Use of cost benefit model in LA metro area illustrates the cost savings for water, trash removal, TreePeople (T.R.E.E.S.), Los Angeles (www.cyberjava.com/earth/tree/tree1.htm)

3 For more information see:

1) Natural Resource Accounting and Sustainable Watershed Management, King, Dennis and Bohlen, Curtis

2) Green Development: Literature Summary and Benefits Associated with Alternative Development Approaches, US-EPA

3) Greening the North: A Post-Industrial Blueprint for Ecology and Equity, Sachs, Wolfgand and Loske, Reihard

4) Landscape Linkages and Biodiversity, Hudson, Wendy w.; Defenders of Wildlife

5) Nature's Services: Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems, Daily, Gretchen C. (www.islandpress.com)

Location and Context:

3 Need to show the geographic extent of the natural systems.

3 For more information:

1) United States Geological Survey (www.usgs.gov/)

2) National Center for Resource Innovations:  Regional and Rosslyn, VA offices (ncri@idt.net)

Who can I work with?  (Alliances):

3 Smart Growth Network, ICMA  (nsimon@icma.org)

3 International City County Management Association (www.icma.org)

3 Local Agenda 21, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives

3 Urban Resource Partnerships -                                                                                 Chicago (www.hud.gov/local/chi/chiurp5.html),                           Philadelphia (www.libertynet.org/purp/),                                                        Las Vegas (www.lvrj.com/communitylink/lvurp/voluteer.htm/)

3 Green Infrastructure Forum, for summary report (jnordin/wo@fs.fed.us)

3 Land Trust Alliance (www.lta.org/listing.html)

3 National Association of Conservation Districts (www.nacdnet.org)

3 Alliance for Community Trees

3 The Nature Conservancy (www.tnc.org/welcome/html)

3 American Planning Association (www.planning.org)

3 American Forests (www.americanforests.org)

3 Joint Center for Sustainable Development (www.naco.org/programs/special/center)

3 Conservation Fund (www.conservationfund.org/conservation/)

3 National Association of State Foresters (nasf@sso.org)

3 National Association of State Conservation Agencies

How does this approach work best? (Processes):

3 For more information:

1) Private Landowner Master Planning, Johnson, Andrew, others, Natural Lands Trust, Media, PA.  (www.natlands.org)

2) Riverwork, NPS, RTCA, Washington, DC  (www.nps.org)

3) Watershed Protection Approach, EPA, OWOW, Wash., DC (www.epa.gov/owow/)

4) Green Communities, EPA Region III, Philadelphia, PA. (www.epa.gov/region03/greenkit/)

5) Growing Greener Workbook, Arendt, Randall; Natural Lands Trust; Media, PA. (www.natlands.org)

6) BUDA (Begin-Understand-Decide-Act), Robert Neville (ecotec@ttlc.net)

7) The Power of Environmental Partnerships, Long, F. and Arnold, M.

8) Pathways: Building A Local Initiative for Compatible Economic Development, Center for Compatible Development, Leesburg, VA (ecodev@cced.org)

Where has this approach been used? (Examples/Designs):

Sustainability Initiatives:  

3 Cape Charles, VA Sustainable Technologies Industrial Park, Cape Charles, VA (www.solartown.com/ccstip/) 

3 Greening of Toronto Port Lands, Toronto Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Toronto, Canada

3 Northhampton County Sustainability Plan, Eastville, VA 

Private Landowner:

3 Private Landowner Master Planning, Johnson, Andrew, Arendt, and others,  Natural Lands Trust, Media, PA. (www.natlands.org)

3 Master Gardener  (www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/img.html)

3 Backyard Conservation, Natural Resource Conservation Service (www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/ccs/backyard.html)

Land Development Designs:

3 Conservation Design for Subdivisions, Arendt, Randall

3 Woodlands, Texas Case Study (www.thewoodlandstx.com)

3 Model Development Principles to Protect Our Streams, Lakes and Wetlands, Schueler, Thomas, The Center for Watershed Protection, (www.pipeline.com/~mrrunoff/)

Local Government:

3 City of West Eugene--Local Wetlands Plan, OR (www.riceinfo.rice.edu/wetlands/)

3 Open Lands Project, Chicago, IL

3 Playa Vista, Los Angeles, CA

3 Minzer Park, Boca Raton, FL

Brownfields--Include:

3 Brownfields Case Studies: Toronto, Canada, Emscher Park Germany, and Groundwork, Lawrence, MA; Bridgeport, CT;  International City/County management Association (www.icma.org)

3 Nine Mile Run, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (slaggarden.cfa.edu/)

Watershed Protection:

3 Catskill Mountains--New York City Water Supply Protection, Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Arkville, NY  (www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dep/watershed.html)

3 Chesapeake Bay Priorities for Land, Growth & Stewardship (www.chesapeakebay.net)

3 Watershed '93: A National Conference on Watershed Management - Proceedings, US-EPA

Metropolitan:

3 Regional Plan Association, New York, NY Building a Metropolitan Greensward (maestro.com//~rpa/green.html)

3 Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN Greenway (www.umcycling.com/greenway.htm)

3 Long-term Ecosystem Research -- Baltimore, MD Urban Ecosystem Project

3 Long-term Ecosystem Research -- Phoenix, AZ Urban Ecosystem Project

3 Fairfax County, VA (http://geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/2107/)

3 Metropolitan Greenspaces, Portland, OR

Statewide Initiatives:

3 State Resource Strategies research illustrates that States are investing in green infrastructure.

3 Florida Greenways:  Decision-support Model, Tallahasse, FL (www2.dep.state.fl.us/greenway/conservation/conservation.html)

3 Maryland Greenways Natural Infrastructure Plans, Anaplouis, MD (www.dnr.state.md.us/greenways/index.htm)

3 Pennsylvania Growing Greener, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA (www.dep.state.pa.us/growgreen/overview.htm)

3 Green Spine, Jacksonville, FL, US-EPA, Region IV

International:  EPA Office of International Activities/ ICMA Case Studies

3 Groundwork, United Kingdom; Emscher Park, Germany; Toronto Port Lands, Canada; Westergasfabriek, Netherlands  (www.epa.gov/swercepp/intr-pro.html)

3 Green Urbanism, Beatly, Tim, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Where can I learn more about green infrastructure approaches? (Reading List):

3 Ecology of Landscapes and Regions, Forman, 1995

3 Ecology of Greenways:  Design and Function of Linear Greenways, Smith, Daniel S.; Hellmund, Paul C.

3 Conservation Design for Subdivisions: A Pratical Guide to Creating Open Space Networks, Randall Arendt, Island Press, 1996.

3 Our Ecological Footprint, Wackernagel; Ress, William

3 Green Urbanism, Beatley, UVA

3 Green-Belt Cities, Osborn, Frederick J.

3 Metropolitan Open Space and Natural Processes, McHarg, Ian L.; Roberts, William, H. University of Pennsylvania

3 Washington-City in the Woods, Updegraff, Margery A; others, Audubon Society of the District of Columbia

3 Greenway Interpretation in Metropolitan Regions; Erickson, Donna

3 The Forest Where We Live, Louisiana Public Broadcasting (http://www.lpb.org)

3 Greening the Toronto Portlands, Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Hough, Michael; Benson, Beth; others,1997

3 Building a Metropolitan Greensward, NY Regional Plan Association,  --Ecology and Management of Neotropical Migratory Birds, Martin, Thomas E; Finch, Deborah E.

3 The Language of Landscapes, Anne Whiston Spirn, 1998 (pobox.upenn.edu/~spirnaw)

3 The Granite Garden, Anne Whiston Spirn, 1984 (pobox.upenn.edu/~spirnaw)

3 Guiding Principles for Sustainable Design, USDI-National Park Service, 1993.

3 Cooling Our Communities--A Guidebook on Tree Planting and Light-colored Surfaces, US-EPA, 1992.

3 Chicago's Urban Forest Ecosystem - Results of the Chicago Urban Forest Climate Program, USDA-Forest Service, GTR NE-186, 1994.

3 Storms Over the Urban Forest, USDA-Forest Service and University of Illinois-Dept of Forestry, 1993.

3 Sustainable Cities: Concepts and Strategies for Eco-City Development, Eco-Home Media, Edited by Bob Walter, 1992.

3 A Watershed Approach to Urban Runoff: Handbook for Decisionmakers, Terene Institute and US-EPA, 1996.

3 Stream Corridor Restoration:  Principles, Processes, and Practices,  The Federal Interagency Working Group, 1998

3 City Green,  American Forests, 1998

3 The Community Forest, Iowa State University-University Extension, 1996.

3 Better Backyard: A Citizens Resource Guide to Beneficial Landscaping and Habitat Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, US-EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, 1999.

3 Riparian Forest Buffers: Function and Design for Protection and Enhancement of Water Resources, David Welsch, USDA-Forest Service, NA-PR-07-91, 1991.

3 Metropolitan Ecosystem Action Strategy, Eugster, J, US-EPA, Washington, DC

What are the common problems I will encounter?  (Overcoming Obstacles):

Perceptions:  

3 Concern about effort being too ``green?''  Green term viewed as too polarizing?  Speak of green infrastructure as part of the communities overall infrastructure.  Environmental goals within a sustainability context.  Point to relevant state and local on-the-ground examples from near and far.

Fear of Pioneering:

3 If this is a new idea in your community be sure to connect to real-life examples through peer exchanges.

Information access, gaps and training:

3 Need more information and assistance, contact:

1) National Center for Resource Innovations--See Green More or Less, Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com)

2) American Forests--(http://www.amfor.org)

3) The National Conservation and Training Center, USFWS and The Conservation Fund, Sheppardstown, WV (www.conservationfund.org/conservation/)

4) State Investment Strategies to Save Open Space and Steer Development (www.nga.org/CBP/)

Funding:  

3 Need to move green infrastructure work from the nice to do category of public priorities to the must do or should do category.  If it's in the public interest the public should treat green infrastructure like other publicly beneficial services.

3 See State Resource Strategies -- Phyllis Myers research

3 Look for programs in the United States Department of Agriculture (www.usda.gov)

3 Talk to State governments or EPA about the State Revolving Fund

3 Use existing sources of information such as the Building Healthy Communities: Resources for Compatible Development, Schweke, W.  and EPA's Environmental Finance Centers

3 Check out the National Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org)

Land Use Ordinances and Regulations:  

3 Look at numerous local examples of County and City governments working to integrate green infrastructure work with land development, transportation, recreation, restoration, . . .    Contact the National Association of Counties and the U.S. Conference of Mayors

3 Work with State and federal agencies to use green infrastructure as a way to reinvent regulations

3 Research available voluntary public and private programs for private landowner assistance (EPA Wetlands Hotline 800-832-7828)

FUTURE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Events to Participate In:

3 National Town Meeting Commitments: Follow-Through with us! (http://www.sustainableamerica.org) 

3 Keep America Growing Greener Conference, Philadelphia, PA June 6-9, 1999 (www.farmland.org/kag.html)

3 Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Communities, Sheppardstown, WV, June 27 to July 1, 1999.

Additional Information:

3 For more information on the the Green Infrastructure Forum, contact:  Glenn Eugster (glenn_eugster@nps.gov)  or John Nordin (jnordin/wo@fs.fed.us)