Green Infrastructure Map Series

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

Broward County is committed to protecting and enhancing our local and regional ecosystems, by optimizing the co-benefits of habitat restoration, coastal buffers, wetland mitigation, urban reforestation, and expanded green infrastructure, in order to create a healthy, enjoyable, and climate resilient environment. The Green Infrastructure Map Series was developed to support planning and coordination regarding the enhancement of resources within Broward County. A tool which measures and compares community resilience by looking at environmental and green infrastructure markers, the maps have been used to engage policy makers and program managers across sectors and jurisdictional boundaries, identify focus areas and opportunities for collaborative programing, and guide policy and planning. The maps are innovative in that they display information on solar installations, light at night pollution, water reuse capacity, and food deserts (places where there is little access to healthy fresh food), in addition to the more traditionally included aspects of green infrastructure (such as urban forests, natural lands, parks and greenways, coastal dunes and sea turtle habitat). By expanding the definition of green infrastructure, we maximize the realization of co-benefits such as improved public health, better quality of life, and economic development and equity outcomes. The Green Infrastructure Map Series, policy guidance document, and associated communication tools have been an incredible resource for the County and our community partners. Fostering discussion across jurisdictions and silos of expertise, the maps have been critical in our: 1) advancing policies that serves as a guide for our 31 municipalities and the greater South Florida region 2) engaging new audiences and connecting previously isolated stakeholders around new issues and 3) developing grant applications and expanding the capacity and effectiveness of existing programs.