Green Infrastructure: Regional and Social Connections at Multiple … · 2012. 6. 20. · Green Infrastructure Network. A green infrastructure network is made up of connected core

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Green Infrastructure: Regional and Social

Connections at Multiple Scales

Prepared by the Green Infrastructure Center Inc. and the

Northern Virginia Regional Commission

for the

N. Va. Urban Forestry Quarterly Roundtable

May 5, 2011

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The mission of the nonprofit Green Infrastructure Center is to help localities evaluate their green assets and manage them to maximize ecological, economic and cultural returns.

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Green Infrastructure Field Tests Virginia Charlottesville City* (done 03/08)

Madison County* (done10/08)

Lynchburg City*(done 12/08)

New Kent County (done 07/09)

Crater and Richmond Regional Planning Districts (done 07/09)

Staunton City * (done 12/09)

Accomack County* (done 5/10)

City of Richmond (12/2010, 12/2011)

Nelson County* (by 6/2011)

Assisting Northern Virginia Regional Commission with their project (2010-2011)

* UVA Graduate Students Participation

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Brief Overview

Green Infrastructure Principles

Green Infrastructure and Planning

Messaging Social Connections

The NVRC Regional Mapping Project

Application Examples at Multiple Scales

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Conservation Corridor Planning in Northern VirginiaRefine state analyses using local data and priorities.

Identify & map high value cores and corridors across the region.

Highlight opportunities for regional connections.

Quantify benefits of these areas.

Develop specific themed overlay maps to highlight relationship of green infrastructure and uses

Develop model language for incorporation of GI/CC into local planning efforts.

Develop communication products and strategy for promoting conservation opportunities to elected officials and the public.

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Green Infrastructure Principles

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Infrastructure (n): the substructure or underlying foundation…on which the continuance and growth of a community or state depends.

Infrastructure: What’s in a name?

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A planimetric map of a Washington DC shows a neighborhood’s gray infrastructure including buildings and roads (left). Classified high-resolution satellite imagery adds a green infrastructure data layer (trees and other vegetation) (right). Source: American Forests

What is Green Infrastructure?

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Green Infrastructure Principles

“An interconnected network of a wide range of landscape elements that

support native species,

maintain natural ecological processes,

sustain air and water resources, and

contribute to the health and quality of life for communities and people.”

Source: Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscapes and Communities, Benedict and McMahon (2006)

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Green Infrastructure NetworkA green infrastructure network is made up of connected core habitats and connecting corridors that help animals, seeds, and people move across the landscape.

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What happens when a forest patch is removed?

Causes habitat loss

May reduce habitat diversity

May reduce population size of species dependent upon that habitat type

Image source: Dramstad, Wenche E., et al. Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land Use Planning. Washington D.C., Island Press, 1996.

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Dividing a large patch into two smaller patches…

Removes interior habitat

Reduces interior species population

Reduces diversity of interior species

Image source: Dramstad, Wenche E., et al. Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land Use Planning. Washington D.C., Island Press, 1996.

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Graphic Credit: VA DCR

Measures of habitat fragmentationTake height of the tree canopy and multiply x 3

= needed interior forest

Ex. If forest canopy = 100 feet tall then need 300 foot transition zone before reaching the interior.

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Who prefers interior forest cores?

Birds, e.g. cerulean warbler, Scarlet tanager

Mammals, e.g. black bear, bobcat, n. flying squirrel

Amphibians, e.g. spotted salamander

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Who causes trouble at the edges?

Brown Headed Cow Bird

Invasive plants/trees

Domestic (and wild) cats

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• Combating global warming (carbon sequestration) and improving air quality.

• Protects and preserves water quality and supply.

• Provides stormwater management, hazard mitigation.

• Preserves biodiversity and wildlife habitat.

• Improves quality of life and fitness by access to recreation.

Benefits of Conserving Green Infrastructure

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Green Infrastructure and Planning

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Why Green Infrastructure Plans Now?Growth and land use conflicts

U. S. Region Pop. Change Change in Urbanized Land

Midwest 7.06% 32.3%

Northeast 6.91% 39.10%

South 22.23% 59.61%

West 17.02% 48.94%

Total U.S. 17.02 % 47.14%Farm Photo Credit: Conservation Fund

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Projected Growth• Northern Virginia has been

growing by about 35-38,000 people per year, on average, for more than 30 years

• By 2020, the population will reach 2.5 million

• Population growth is equivalent to adding a new county every eight years, with a population equivalent to the number living in Loudoun today—about 300,000 Will this baby have access to this

much open land when he grows up?

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Where to develop?

SmartGrowth =

UsingExisting (grey) Infrastructure

But is this enough?

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Typical Plan =

Save ½Build ½

While this approach is simple, it does not conserve our best resources.

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Need to consider:

What are allthe assets?

Grey + Green =

Smart + Green

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Here’s the problem when cluster developments don’t look outside the parcel:

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Green infrastructure approachhelps keep corridors intact.

Undeveloped parcel: PDR, TDR, Easement?

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Virginia’s Comprehensive Planning§ 15.2-2230. Comp Plans reviewed at least once every 5 years.

“…careful and comprehensive surveys and studies of the existing conditions and trends of growth, and of the probable future requirements of its territory and inhabitants.” “…guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development …which will, in accordance with present and probable future needs and resources, promote the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the inhabitants…

Zoning must be “in accordance” with comprehensive plans – so comp plans should include maps of key

natural assets.

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1) Asset Mapping (what are the existing ecological, cultural and economic assets)

2) Risk Assessment (which of the assets above are at risk)

3) Opportunities (what kind of community do we want? what projects, programs, policies to ensure assets conserved?)

4) Policy Implementation (adoption of asset maps, strategy maps, integrate into comprehensive plans, park plans etc.)

GI Planning Steps

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Park and open space planning

Identify lands for PDR or TDR programs

New ordinance development

Species protection

Heritage tourism and viewsheds

Ag and Forestal Districts

Transportation planning: roads/trails

Green Infrastructure Planning Applications

Public

Private

Regulatory Voluntary

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Access to fitness opportunities. (addresses obesity, nature deficit disorders)

Clean air – trees absorb pollutants, VOCs, filter runoff, cool the city. (combat asthma)

Well being and mental health - -people heal faster when they can see or access green. (hospitals need this for patients, reduces absenteeism of workers)

Less crime occurs near trees. (issue especially for downtowns and public housing areas)

Employees will exercise if they can access green where they work and on the way to work. (addresses employee health)

Trees: for Health

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Green Infrastructure = $$$$ An old levee on Savannah River becomes a

“riverwalk” with $8 million invested = a return of $198 million in new investment.

$ National Association of Realtors Study (NAR) of homebuyers: 1-2% golfed, 5-6% swim and more than 50% use paths.

$ NAR showed 57% of voters are more likely to purchase a home near to green space and 50% are willing to pay 10% more!

$ Homes adjacent to a greenbelt in Boulder Colorado were valued 32% higher than those 3,200 feet distant (Correll et al, 1978).

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Small companies, especially those that are have well paid and skilled workforce place a strong importance on the “green” of the local environment. Crompton Love and Moore, 1997

The creative class: artists, media, lawyers, analysts, make up 30 percent of the U.S. workforce and they place a premium on outdoor recreation and access to nature. Florida, 2002

Trees: for job development

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http://www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/community/transformations/index.asp

Simulations are a great way to make the case for urban trees. This is Oakland, CA – would you live here?

GI Visualization ….

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They need to have better data for decision making. We tell them:

You don’t write blank checks so you shouldn’t give away resources without knowing their value. Most people will not choose to be without information when given the choice.

A map of key forests or a green infrastructure map does not make one do something, but it does help with establishing priorities.

Why do planners need better information?

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NVRC Regional Mapping Project

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Conservation Corridor Planning in Northern VirginiaRefine state analyses using local data and priorities.

Identify & map high value cores and corridors across the region.

Highlight opportunities for regional connections.

Quantify benefits of these areas.

Develop specific themed overlay maps to highlight relationship of green infrastructure and uses

Develop model language for incorporation of GI/CC into local planning efforts.

Develop communication products and strategy for promoting conservation opportunities to elected officials and the public.

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VA Natural Landscape Assessment – Forest Habitats

Cultural Model – Historic Resources Vulnerability Model -- -Growth predictions and threats

Forest Economics Model – Economically viable forests

Agricultural Model – Lands suitable for farming

Recreation Model – Trails, Parks, Hunting and Fishing

Watershed Integrity Model

Ecological Integrity

Priority Conservation Assessment (multiple species)

For general information: www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/vclnagrn.shtml

For simple maps: http://www.vaconservedlands.org/gis.aspx

New Virginia Modeling Tools

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VNLA

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Developing a Northern Virginia Base Mapfor the NVRC District

Data Sources Virginia Department of Forestry – Land Cover & Forest

Cover Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation –

VaNLA, Conserved Lands USGS – National Hydrology Dataset FWS – National Wetland Inventory Local GIS Managers – CBPA, streams, parks, etc.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURELayer Source

Base Green Infrastructure Network

High Value Cores NVRC

Natural Land Network DCR-DNH

Contributing Landscapes DCR-DNH

Tree Canopy VDOF

Land CoverRural LandsUrban Developed Lands

VDOF (2005)

Major Rivers USGS - NHD

Lakes/Ponds USGS - NHD

Streams USGS - NHD

Neighbors

Stafford County Cores GWRC

DC NVRC

Maryland GreenPrint MD DNR

State Forest Cover VDOF

Northern Virginia Region Boundary NVRC

Roads VDOT

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An example of a cross-countyopportunity

DRAFT

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845 acres

206.2 acres of Tier 1 Habitat

DoI = 300 acres

4 Elements of Occurrence

LoudounCounty

FairfaxCounty

% Tree Canopy 87.4 percent(738.8 acres)

Lbs of Air Pollutants removed 74,416($199,246)

Tons of Carbon StoredTons of Carbon Sequestered

31,790247

Cu. Ft of Stormwater Retained (estimated)

4,832,337 cu. ft($28,994,024)Analysis at right from CITYGreen by American Forests

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Application Example at

Multiple Scales:

Richmond Region

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Richmond Region green infrastructure assets and opportunities identification (2009)

Richmond Region Project

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New Kent County

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Forest Stewardship & Natural Asset Network

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Proposed Courthouse Historic District

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Scaling down to the city … Richmond City Green Infrastructure

Assessment

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Goals:I. Map green assets

II. Show benefits

III. Identify areas to re-green

Partners:

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• Water Resources• Conservation Lands• Sustainable Features• Parks & Recreation• Transportation• Heritage & Culture

Resources

Image Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

What Are Richmond’s Green Assets?

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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURECity Tree Canopy

October 2010

City Land Cover:

42% Tree Canopy

23% Other Vegetation

24% Non-Building Impervious

11% Building Impervious

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City: Develop citywide green infrastructure network based on suitability of vacant parcels.

Planning District: Create interactive database to evaluate suitability of vacant parcels for various goals.

Neighborhood: Develop concept plans and prototypes to connect neighborhoods to the city’s green infrastructure network.

Project: Provide case studies and strategies that can be implemented to enhance Richmond’s green infrastructure network.

Approach: Planning Across Scales

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Citywide vacant parcel inventory , grouped by:• vacant lots• vacant structures• vacant properties

(parcels that haveunknown status)

City: Citywide Vacancy

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURECity: Citywide Green Infrastructure Network

These parcels met criteria that supports the following goals:

• Protect Priority Conservation Areas• Improve water quality • Increase park access• Support greenway development• Identify network opportunities

Potential citywide green infrastructure network based on ecological suitability of vacant parcels through the city.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURECity: Richmond Tree Planting Plan

• Richmond has to remove about 1000 trees per year due to storm damage, age, building.

• The Mayor has an initiative to increase trees in the city and in this first year of the planting program, the city will be planting 1,988 trees.

• Anytime we can find ways to reduce tree clearing helps the city to maintain its canopy.

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Broad Rock and Old South Planning Districts selected based on analysis of vacant parcel inventory and input of city staff.

District Selection

GREEN INFRASTRUCTUREDistrict: Selection

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURENeighborhood: Bellemeade Creek Corridor

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURENeighborhood: Bellemeade Creek Corridor

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURENeighborhood: Trail Treatments

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EndNorthern Virginia Regional

Commissionwww.novaregion.org/

Green Infrastructure Center www.gicinc.org