a planning framework linking people & working landscapes

Application of Green Infrastructure Planning: Lessons learned from 2 years of a Service-Learning project in SE Washington

A planning framework

Linking People & Working Landscapes

Nick Sanyal, Liza Pulsipher & Ed Krumpe

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University of Idaho

Department of Conservation Social Sciences

& the Bioregional Planning Program

What is Green Infrastructure?

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Green infrastructure represents the unique conservation and

quality-of-life goals of each community.

―. . (working landscapes) . . managed for their natural resource

values and for the associated benefits it confers to human

populations.‖

Green Infrastructure

3

Linking Landscapes& Communities

Green Infrastructure:

4

X A government

program.

X A short-term solution.

X A panacea, a cure-all.

X An isolated effort.

A framework of

collaboration.

A long-term resolution

A holistic view: Puzzle

pieces.

A process to link all

resources: Social,

Economic & Natural.

What it is NOT: What it IS:

Green Infrastructure:

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X Antidevelopment

X Just a system of open

space: schoolyards,

playgrounds, trails,

habitat

A development process that

respects the working

landscape

A System in which a healthy

ecosystem is the foundation

that shapes growth &

provides human benefits.

What it is NOT: What it IS:

THE TEN PRINCIPLES OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

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1. Connectivity is key and must support nature, people, spaces and programs.

2. Context matters—content alone cannot drive or support the system. Context respects and reflects function and heritage.

3. Must be grounded in sound science, land use theory and practice. It represents 150 years of scientific land management.

4. It should function as a framework for conservation anddevelopment.

5. Green Infrastructure should be planned and protected before development. Restoration is expensive (compared to protection).

PRINCIPLES (CONTD.)

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6. Green infrastructure is a critical public investment and

should be funded the way we fund roads, power grids,

airports, sewers, etc.

7. Green infrastructure affords benefits to nature and people.

8. It respects the needs and desires of landowners and other

stakeholders. Private land can stay private; working

landscapes can continue to work.

9. Green infrastructure requires making connections to

activities within and beyond the community.

10.Green infrastructure requires a long-term commitment and

perspective.

Growing

With

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GreenInfrastructure

Growing

With

9

Hubs and links exist in a continuum :

GreenInfrastructure

Less Human

Interaction

More Human

Interaction

SOCIAL

NATURAL

BUILT

•Family Unit •County Fair

•Wilderness

Area•Ski Area

•Campground •Downtown


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Linking Landscapes& Communities

Social Capital

Education, GovernmentJobs, Equity

Ecological Capital

Watersheds, Wildlife, Agriculture, Scenic Quality, Forests

Economic Capital

Utilities, Fair TradeBusiness , Household economies

CONSERVATION ECONOMY

Growing

With

12

Natural System

“viable

ecosystem +

natural capital”

―Green‖

infrastructure

GreenInfrastructure

Growing

With

13

Natural System

“viable

ecosystem +

natural capital”

Social System

“natural capital +

human and social

capital”

―Green‖

infrastructure

―Pink‖

infrastructure

GreenInfrastructure

Growing

With

14

Natural System

“viable

ecosystem +

natural capital”

Social System


human and social

capital”

Man Made System

“built capital +

human and social

capital”

―Green‖

infrastructure

―Pink‖

infrastructure

―Grey‖

infrastructure

GreenInfrastructure

Growing

With

15

Natural System

“viable

ecosystem +

natural capital”

Social System


human and social

capital”

Man Made System

“built capital +

human and social

capital”

―Green‖

infrastructure

―Pink‖

infrastructure

―Grey‖

infrastructure

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

GreenInfrastructure

Growing

With

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1. Develop an approach

2. Inventory community resources

3. Envision the future

4. Find the hubs

& links

5. Create the plan

6. Build the System

GreenInfrastructure

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Lay of the land

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Inventory

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Allocation/Designation

Our Approach / What we did

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Worked in Columbia County /Dayton Washington

Dayton

Moscow


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Adopted Service-Learning as our pedagogical

model with 3 undergraduate classes:

An alternative way of understanding;

Values the human experience as a source of

learning;

Reflective thinking transforms experience into

learning;

Stresses citizenship to community, profession,

and the larger public interest; and

Involves the participation, not just of students,

but of faculty and community as co-learners.


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Our Methods included low tech mapping:

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With hand drawn overlays:


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Used existing demographic and economic data:

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

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5.0

6.0

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8.0

9.0

10.0

Perc

ent of

Tota

l

Age Class

Columbia

Walla Wala


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Used face-to-face and web-based survey research to

measure values, issues and preferences.


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Conducted

semi-structured

interviews:

“What makes

Dayton, Dayton?”


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Made landuse observations and conducted a

rapid

appraisal:


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Conducted 4 public workshops (nominal groups):


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We used formal communication and public relations strategies:

Our Approach / Objectives

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Integrated conceptual & practical information to

support an application of Green Infrastructure.

Used a community-centered strategy to listen &

discover residents’ desires.

Didn’t provide ―the answer,‖ rather we developed a

toolbox of viable alternatives so they could craft their

own future.

Worked collaboratively with the community to

empower them.

Designed to continue working with the community over

the next decade!

Why Columbia County/Dayton?

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868 sq. mile county with a varied mix of land

uses and ownership.

10% is in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness;15%

is the Umatilla NF that includes Bluewood

Mountain Ski Area.

The central and northern 2/3rds are in private

ownership and are a mix of dry land farming,

orchards, forests and CRP Lands.

Development is mostly limited to Highway 12

and the 2 river corridors.

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Seen tremendous change (e.g., loss of major

industry, catastrophic forest fires and floods)

and yet the area continues to survive!


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The county has high community resiliency to

change (Harris et al., 1994).

―Politically we are

conservatively

independent and

free-willed, but

progressive.”


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The county population of 4200 (Dayton 2100),

and its location in the extended Palouse region

made this an ideal outdoor service-learning

opportunity.


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Since 2005 the county has created 3 wind farms,

home to 204 turbines. A point of pride and

contention! 351 more turbines are planned.


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A history of self-funded historical preservation—3

historical districts including the oldest functioning

courthouse in WA, oldest school district, historic Depot

and 146 historic buildings on the National Register.


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The Seneca plant, formerly ―the Jolly Green

Giant,‖ closed

in 2003 and

with it almost

half the county

payroll.


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Convenient access to fishing along the Touchet

and Tucannon Rivers and winter sports at

Bluewood.

Why Columbia county/Dayton?

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Dayton has embarked on an ambitious and

successful project of historic and heritage

preservation and tourism.


Historic Weinhard Hotel

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The county has one of the most active and

successful Conservation Reserve Programs (CRP)

in the state.


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The county has a diverse

working landscape that

embraces agriculture,

forestry, and Conservation

lands(CRP).


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The county economic development plan lists several

goals that aligned with our interests:

Identifying recreation, heritage, tourism and

cultural sites and links;

Continuing to exert local control over development;

Stabilizing the demography; and

Partnering with universities.


Our Approach / Gaining Entrance

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We gained entrance through a student from Dayton

who was active and visible in the community.

Her family goes back several generations as farmers

and they connected us with

key stakeholders.

She helped with gaining and

keeping the trust of key local

leaders.

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“Open your arms

to change,

but don't let go

of your values.”

DALAI LAMAINSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE

What we produced

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Social data from public meetings & surveys were used to

create a Values Typology & we identified

Threats/Strategies to help perpetuate their values.

Student projects:

Identifying landscape values and uses and

understanding the threats to them.

Identify Green Infrastructure opportunities,

including land classification & economic growth &

potential trail systems.

Dayton and Columbia County Values & Threats

in a Nutshell:

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Desires to:

Maintain small town, rural, people-centered lifestyle and values.

Maintain agricultural heritage and working landscapes.

Continue historic preservation.

Provide economic and lifestyle incentives to retain youth and young families.

Grow the economy.

Without doing this:

Diluting values through major in-migration.

Over/rapid development, especially chains and big box stores.

Conversion of land from agriculture/forestry.

Lose small-town character and heritage.

Succumb to outside pressures and becoming dependent on outside resources and government.

What we produced: Student Projects

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Student Projects: Deliciously Dayton

Connecting

products, people,

and special places.

To enhance the

opportunities in

the Touchet River

basin, while

protecting

esthetics and

ecological

integrity.

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Ultimate Goal: planned economic

growth without undermining the

rural way of life or harming the

environment as it currently exists.

Deliciously Dayton: Goals

Use the natural

amenities to sustain

economic and

physical growth.

Transform the Touchet

River basin into a

multipurpose

agricultural hub.

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Deliciously Dayton:

Enhanced Community Garden

A place where residents can rent a vegetable garden plot.

4-H and school groups could use it for projects.

―Could be profitable—growing hops for a local brewery, perhaps.‖

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Deliciously Dayton: Small Business

Incubator

Connect Columbia

County’s crops

with the hops and . .

the fish and . . .

the apple orchards

and . .

the garden to create

. . .

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Deliciously Dayton

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Grain Mill

Commercial Kitchen

MicrobreweryCider Press

Student Projects: W.H.E.A.T.

What is W.H.E.A.T.?

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Washington Homegrown Enterprise for Agriculture & Tradition

Mission Statement:

To plan & develop a

cooperative business

that partners with

existing businesses

while preserving and

enhancing cultural

values, traditional

livelihoods and open

spaces in Columbia

County.

Student Projects: Why W.H.E.A.T.?

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Values: Empower the community. Sound/sustainable economic

development. Preserving cultural & historic

values.

Goals: Build a working mill. Incorporate Green

Infrastructurevia a community-based entrepreneurship.

http://uidaho.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=287119&id=535922532

W.H.E.A.T.: Why a MILL?

Use local resources--wheat--to create

quality products.

Provide jobs & specialized training.

Incorporate tourism while preserving

cultural heritage.

Use portion of

profit for

enriching

community.

W.H.E.A.T. : More possibilities….

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Festivals/Conventions

―Dayton Brand‖

Biofuels

Canola

Use of Wheat

bi-products

And many, many

many more……

Trail Projects: The Touchet Connection

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Protect the Touchet River and Patit Creek riparian

zone.

Enhance salmon habitat in the rivers.

Improve wildlife habitat.

Preserve water quality for the City of Dayton.

Connect the Dayton to the Lewis and Clark

historic sites.

Provide a trail for commuting and healthy

recreation.

The Touchet Connection: Objectives

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Construct 5 miles of compact gravel trail along the Touchet River and Patit Creek connecting the Lewis and Clark Trail State Park and the Patit Creek Campsite.

Restore native vegetationin riparian areas that need enhancing.

Proposed Touchet Trails

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The Touchet Connection: Partners

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Inland Northwest Land Trust – Spokane

NPS Lewis and Clark Historic Trail

Washington Health Foundation

Windermere Real Estate Broker

Brian Martin – Land Planning

Rails to Trails Conservancy

Private land owners

Blue Mtn. Realtors

Local School

The Touchet Connection: Funding

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Rails to Trails Conservancy

National Trails Fund

Kodak American Greenways Awards Program

Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account

Land and Water Conservation Fund

Washington Wildlife and Rec. Program

D.O.T. Commute Trip Reduction

The Touchet Connection:

Social Benefits to the Community

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Connect community to the natural landscape

Link social hubs

Provide health benefits

Provide alternative transportation

Provide a venue for events

Recreational enhancement

Student Projects: Dayton Connections

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We propose two thematic trails:

- Historical

- Recreational

Black – Existing trail

Red – Recreational trail

Green – Historical trail

Blue – Future development

Student Mapping

Project

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Identified landscapes

features and land use

values, and the threats

to them.

Combination of the


hubs-links and the USFS

ROS approaches.

Lessons Learned

Challenges/Opportunities:

Distance, time, and travel (200 miles = 4 hrs. round trip)

Limited to simple technology

Time: constrained by academic schedule (undergraduates)

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Lessons Learned

Natural resource students had limited familiarity with agricultural

practices or communities.

Several planning processes underway at the same time.

Very limited mass media/communications.

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Lessons Learned

Implications for practitioners

Students seen as an outside, impartial source (welcomed

by the community).

Community & students were willing to suspend biases.

Students helped the community build a sense of place

(reflecting on what they value & want to perpetuate).

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Lessons Learned


Community was open to the students, & the information was shared

with everyone.

Students worked best at developing innovative concepts.

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Lessons Learned


Planning in WA is very formal, regulated, technical & structured –

and not well understood by the public.

We gave people a more welcoming way to provide input.

Students served as an avenue for 2-way communication.

Concept of working landscapes was well received by the

community.

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The community-student partnership:

Contributions and future opportunities

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Comprehensive plan update

Internships

Trails proposal to NPS-RTCA

Sustainability seminar series

Blue Mountain Station

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Blue Mountain Station: A destination eco-food

processing park

Blue Mountain Station, a

destination eco-food processing

park

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Dedicated to recruiting and marketing natural and organic artisan

foods.

Anchor a vertically integrated brand program from farmer to the

processor, the wholesaler, the retailer and ultimately to the

quality-minded, health-conscious consumer.

Blends sustainable, locally-produced agriculture with artisan food

processing and culinary tourism.

28 acres purchased in the Urban Growth Area adjacent to proposed

trails.

A million dollar grant/loan package from the WA Community

Economic Revitalization Board.

Thanks to:145 University of Idaho students and the

residents of Columbia County and Dayton!

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a planning framework linking people & working landscapes

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