National Workshop on Large Landscape ConservationThursday, October 23, 2014

Will AllenDirector of Strategic Conservation Planning

Framing An Agenda for Metropolitan & Landscape Conservation

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Landscape Scale Practitioners' Network

• Cities and their regions as ecosystems• Common vision• Coalitions shape priority green infrastructure

investments• Collaboration and collective action

Other Metropolitan Greenspace Initiatives

Columbia MO | Lufkin TX | Central IndianaMilwaukee WI | Nashville TN

Megaregions Need Nature

Initiatives presenting at NWLLC

Other selected Metropolitan Initiatives

Regional Networks presenting at NWLLC

OPPORTUNITIES

• Green Infrastructure Network Design

• Regional Green Infrastructure Vision

• Ecosystem Services

• Climate Change Adaptation / Resiliency

• Re-Use of Vacant and Underutilized Lands

An Agenda for Metropolitan & Landscape Conservation

A strategically

planned and

managed network

of natural lands,

working

landscapes, and

other open spaces

that conserves

ecosystem values

and functions and

provides associated

benefits to human

populations

(Benedict & McMahon, 2006)

Green Infrastructure – Linking Megaregions & Landscapes

Scales of Green Infrastructure Planning

Downtown Nashville Nashville-Davidson County TN

NiSource MSHCP

GI Network: Protect | Restore | Connect

Cores: • Contain fully functional

natural ecosystems

• Provide high-quality habitat for native plants and animals

Hubs:• Slightly fragmented

aggregations of core areas, plus contiguous natural cover

Corridors:• Link core areas together

• Allow animal movement

and seed and pollen transfer between core areas

Sites:• Important microhabitats not

captured by network thresholds and criteria

Functional Connectivity

Ecological Capital

Human well-beingMaterial needs, health, security, social relations, “quality of life”

RegulatingServices

Culturalexperiences

Supporting

Products

(Natural processes that maintain other

ecosystem services)Ecos

yste

m S

ervi

ces

Adapted from 2010 Ecological Footprint Atlas

GI Network: Mapping Nature’s BenefitsGI Network: Mapping Nature’s Benefits

Green Infrastructure & Ecosystem Services Example: Houston-Galveston

• 13-County GI Network provides ~91% of benefits for water quality,

air quality, water supply, flood protection, and carbon sequestration.

IMPACTS

• More extremes – temperature

and precipitation

• Range shifts

• Disturbances - Floods, Wildfire,

Insects, Disease

Climate Change Adaptation / Resiliency

OPPORTUNITIES

• Focus on multiple benefits

and ‘no regrets’

Income GeneratingUrban Forest / Carbon BankNative Tree/Plant Nursery Urban AgricultureGreenhouse / AquaponicsAlternative Energy

Compliance/RegulatoryStream/Riparian RestorationConstructed Wetland / Stormwater

Park / Rain GardenPhytoremediationImpervious Surface Removal

Community BenefitPocket Park/Playground/Ball CourtsRecreational Trail LinkageNative Plant / Habitat Garden Community Garden

Vacant Lands Green Infrastructure Typologies

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Vacant and Underutilized Lands Example: Amigos de los Rios

SPEAKERS

• Bruce Roll

• Arnold Randall

• Claire Robinson

Framing An Agenda for Metropolitan & Landscape Conservation

Will AllenDirector of Strategic Conservation Planning

919-967-2248wallen@conservationfund.org

http://www.conservationfund.org/strategic-conservation

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Framing An Agenda for Metropolitan & Landscape Conservation