Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is “green infrastructure”?

A. “Green infrastructure” can be thought of as the life-support system for native plants and animals as well as natural processes. It’s a comprehensively planned system of protected natural areas, including larger parks, preserves, and open spaces, and smaller connecting greenways and natural corridors. This network is managed to provide wildlife with an optimal setting, in the context of human development and activities. It’s called green “infrastructure” because its structure and functionality are similar to the built or “gray” infrastructure systems we’re more familiar with, like roads, sewers, and utility lines.

Q. What are “ecosystems” and why are they important?

A. “Ecosystem” is a term for animal and plant species in their natural habitat, functioning as a unit. In addition to their intrinsic value and natural beauty, ecosystems are important to human communities because they provide free natural “services.” These ecosystem processes include water filtration and purification, groundwater recharging, stormwater management, crop pollination, air purification, pest control, efficient nutrient cycling, and soil enrichment.

Q. What would a statewide green infrastructure program look like?

A. Every state contains key native species, landscapes, bodies of water, culturally and historically important areas, and already protected regions that benefit wildlife and human communities. Green infrastructure programs use a wide range of scientific information to identify natural areas, and then coordinate with public and private conservation programs to protect them. This may include purchasing land, restoring habitats, taking out easements, or other conservation strategies. Some key principles of green infrastructure programs are: the network provides a framework for future development as well as conservation efforts; programs prioritize soliciting and considering input from stakeholders, including the general public; and, programs employ a range of land management practices that support multiple uses when appropriate. For more information, see the definition of a “green infrastructure program” in Section 3(F) of SERC’s sample legislation.

Q. What about private property rights?

A. Green infrastructure programs cannot include anyone’s land without their consent. In coordination with public and private conservation groups, green infrastructure programs seek to protect key natural areas in the context of human activities. Conservation approaches used by green infrastructure programs include purchasing land from willing sellers and employing property protection agreements and conservation easements, both of which simultaneously protect natural areas and owners’ rights to enjoy and benefit from their property. In addition, green infrastructure programs can include lands where farming, logging, and ranches are managed in an environmentally-sustainable way. Green infrastructure programs can make states more attractive to businesses, since they raise the quality of life for residents, create a more predictable business climate, and protect the transfer of property.

Q. Why do we need another state environmental program?

A. The goal of green infrastructure programs is to make current conservation efforts more effective. Although other state agencies and private organizations are working to protect natural areas, their efforts are fragmented, with little coordination between programs. Many are also focused on single species, single resources, or emergency situations like endangered species – conditions that limit their effectiveness, increase costs, and increase divisiveness. Far from duplicating efforts or creating bureaucracy, green infrastructure programs should serve to consolidate information, and direct and provide support for public and private conservation groups. Green infrastructure programs have the potential to build and protect a statewide, interconnected network of natural areas.

Q. How will a green infrastructure program benefit me?

A. Green infrastructure programs provide many benefits to human communities. Protected natural regions provide scenic areas and increased opportunities for outdoor recreation, which increases community health and quality of life. The smart growth influence of green infrastructure networks may limit ill-designed development, or sprawl, which raises taxes to service distant communities and provide them with new built infrastructure. Communities adjacent to greenspace may enjoy an increase in property values. The natural processes of healthy ecosystems also provide free services to communities that would otherwise have to pay significant amounts for water and air purification, stormwater management, pollination, soil enrichment, and other benefits.

Q. Has any other state developed a green infrastructure program?

A. As of 2003, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Jersey had completed large-scale ecological assessments and/or strategies, and seven other states were drafting plans. All states are writing comprehensive wildlife conservation plans. There are many more instances of green infrastructure or green infrastructure-like programs being realized on regional (multi-county) and local levels. These include both highly-developed urban areas like Minnesota’s Twin Cities region and less-developed areas like Florida’s Everglades Reserve. More information about these programs can be found on SERC’s Green Infrastructure State Activity Page.