:: GIC Projects

          : Green Infrastructure Projects in Virginia
          : Green Infrastructure Projects Map
          : Southeast Assessment
          : Water and Community Health in South Africa
          : Technical Assistance to Localities and Regions
          : Project Brochure [PDF]

Green Infrastructure Projects in Virginia

In July 2007, the Green Infrastructure Center (GIC) began a statewide field test of green infrastructure planning in Virginia. The goal of the field test was to develop and test practical methods for identifying and conserving green assets such as forests, rivers, wildlife areas, historic landscape features and recreational opportunities. Field tests demonstrate how to do this work in a variety of settings. They represent several of the state’s distinct ecoregions – coastal, piedmont, ridge and valley (see the Bailey's ecoregion map of Virginia ) -- as well as diversity of development patterns from rural, to urban to suburban.  Methods derived from these field tests will be shared through a green infrastructure planning manual that will be available for free download. We are currently raising funds to cover the manual's design and printing.

The following are links to project descriptions including the projects' final reports.

• Charlottesville City (Completed - March 2008)
• Madison County (Completed - October 2008)
• Lynchburg City (Completed - December 2008)
• Crater and Richmond Regional Planning Districts (Completed - July 2009)
• New Kent County (Completed - July 2009)
• City of Staunton (Completed – December 2009)
• Accomack County (Completed - May 2010)
• City of Richmond (Completed - December 2010)
  
• Nelson County (Completed - August 2011)
• Bellemeade Walkable Watershed Pilot, City of Richmond (ongoing)

Or click on the orange dots on the project map to learn more about each project

Southeast Assessment

Under a Redesign Grant from the US Forest Service’s Southern Region, the GIC is conducting a capacity assessment of green infrastructure planning for states in the USFS Southern Region. This project began in summer 2009. A report of findings is available here.

Technical Assistance to Localities and Regions

The GIC also assists other localities in evaluating green infrastructure and developing their own plans. The GIC has provided advice to several other planning districts including the New River Planning District in Southern Virginia, The Thomas Jefferson Planning District in Central Virginia and most recently, to the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. The GIC is available to provide advice and assistance on a contracted basis and can develop projects for grant funding if local funding sources can be identified and obtained. Contact the GIC for more information or to request assistance at gicinfo@gicinc.org.

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“The City of Staunton’s partnership with Ms. Firehock and the Green Lands class has increased our ability to assemble well corroborated policy recommendations, perform more efficient and meaningful green systems analysis, and fold green infrastructure considerations more easily into the process of determining the form of our community. Green Infrastructure Strategies for Staunton, Virginia will serve the City of Staunton well into the future. The publication provides practical, attainable goals supporting the preservation of our natural resources while relating good stewardship directly to creating livable communities and providing more successful environments for business development. Because of this work, we understand the needs of our green infrastructure and economic development goals are not in conflict with one another, but are complimentary.”

- Amy Ransom Arnold, ASLA, Staunton City Planner