NACo's Green Infrastructure Program helps counties to use management of natural resources to enhance water quality, abate flooding, lower heat in urban centers, lessen the impacts of climate change and build more resilient communities.
Green infrastructure refers to a planned and managed system of green spaces, greenways and natural lands that offer benefits of water conservation, filtration and absorption as well as air particle removal and heat relief. Natural spaces also contribute to the health and quality of life of our communities. On a smaller scale, green infrastructure practices include rain gardens and low impact development tools like porous pavements, green roofs, planters, street trees and rain barrels Regionally, the preservation and restoration of natural landscape features, such as forests, floodplains and wetlands, are critical green infrastructure components. Counties improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and opportunities for outdoor recreation/tourism through the protection of these ecologically-sensitive lands.