Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure is an interconnected network of natural systems that provide a diverse range of environmental, social, recreational, psychological, public health, and economic benefits. An easy analogy is to compare green infrastructure to grey infrastructure - in the same way that our roads, sewers, and utilities convey and assist our social systems (grey infrastructure), green infrastructure is the support and conveyance network for our natural systems. The natural systems that make up green infrastructure include open space and natural areas such as it's greenways, wetlands, parks, forests, farms & ranches, vacant lands, creeks & streams, mountains & foothills, shorelines, trails, watersheds, and recreational or scenic areas.

A Green Infrastructure Network, composed of cores, hubs, and corridors, is identified and designed to maximize the many benefits and existing assets inherent in a community or region. Connectivity is important in planning for and upgrading man-made infrastructure (grey infrastructure) such as roads, storm drains, sewers, utilities and levees. This connected approach is just as important in understanding and improving our green infrastructure.

An interconnected system allows for greater vitality, value and function of the natural areas & ecological networks including their ecosystem services or natural benefits. A communities Green Infrastructure, the interconnected system of these lands, conserve ecosystem values and functions, sustains clear air and water, promotes a sustainable economic regional framework, and contributes to the health and quality of life for its residents.

CURRENT PROJECTS

(re)connect : The Wasatch Front Green Infrastructure Plan