NEW RIVER VALLEY

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE

What is Green Infrastructure?

• Meet the Steering Team
• Team Member Resources
• Meeting Schedule

GI Initiative

• Project Timeline
• Mission and Purpose
• Network Design Goals
• Program Goals and Committee Structure
  • Steering Committee
• Technical Sub-Committee
• Outreach/Education Sub-Committee
• Grant Coordination & Administration Sub-Committee

Links and Resources

OUR Approach

Green Infrastructure can be broadly defined as an interconnected network of open and natural areas that contribute to the health and overall well-being of a community or region. Although a variety of definitions for the term Green Infrastructure do exist, we believe that this land-use paradigm is best defined by the needs of the community.

By integrating the issues and concerns pertaining to the New River Valley, we have defined Green Infrastructure as a strategic approach to development that guides growth in concert with the environment, working landscapes and cultural/historical heritage.  This concept recognizes that development is imminent and embraces growth that is strategically planned to conserve cultural heritage and maintain the natural systems that we depend on.  Green Infrastructure considers these natural systems, such as our water table and clean air, as equally important to our well-being as the gray infrastructure that enables unprecedented convenience in our lives. 

It is our perspective that these two essential elements of our community, the built landscape and the natural environment, must no longer be opposing forces when planning for our future.  Rather, these two elements should complement one another to ascertain the social, economic and environmental sustainability of our communities and our children's communities.  Green Infrastructure is a major tool for creating livable communities that connect our landscapes and focus on our rural heritage for generations to come. 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND DATES:

• Steering Team Meetings, Dates TBD, Keep checking back


• Sub-committee Meetings, on-going through Summer 2009

Funding for the New River Valley Green Infrastructure Partnership is provided by the Urban and Community Forestry Program within the USFS Virginia Department of Forestry.