Purpose
The consortium’s purpose is to improve community resiliency by helping implement integrated green infrastructure projects, programs, and policies that make a significant, measurable impact, providing the expertise and orchestration needed to do so.
Enabling objectives:
- Inform key decision-makers and influencers about the value of using green infrastructure.
- Help implement specific projects, programs and policies that systematically apply green infrastructure in urban environments, with particular attention to communities of concern.
- Ensure stakeholder involvement and ownership, meaning residents and others who interact with the land in question, so they will steward the improvements.
- Further the methodological state-of-the-art.
Incorporating a green infrastructure approach into our region’s existing efforts to enhance sustainability requires action now. Examples include: (a) educate government staff and offer expert capacity and assistance; (b) substantially increase fundraising efforts from outside entities, e.g., regional, state and federal grants, private sector business investments, and private philanthropy; (c) adjust policies and plans, such as Climate Action Plans, to use integrated green infrastructure wherever it is cost-efficient and effective; (d) partner with organizations that help improve green infrastructure on both public and private property; (e) incorporate green infrastructure-related businesses into the region’s economic development programs.
The Green Infrastructure Consortium can assist on these recommendations, building upon the successful expertise of dozens of skilled practitioners with records of successful engagement with public sector, business, and community leaders.
Accomplishments thus far
o Creation of partnerships with other organizations, such as municipalities and non-profits
o Grant proposals submitted, primarily to state agencies.
o Active interest and engagement on the part of current and former government officials in supporting project ideas
o Project ideas formulated for locations in the Pueblo, Sweetwater, and San Dieguito Watersheds