In many regions, valuable green infrastructure assets remain unprotected and vulnerable to short term development gains and land conversion, bringing future environmental and economic adversity. Such adversity results in a reduced capacity to clean our air and water, a loss of landscape character and local identity, and diminished capability to address the onslaught of twenty-first-century challenges, such as climate change, population growth, species decline, and water scarcity. In order to ensure our communities remain as vibrant and resilient as possible, green infrastructure assets must be identified, catalogued, mapped, managed, and protected.
Geographic Information System (GIS) technology is ideal for that job. In 2016, Esri partnered with the National Geographic Society to begin laying the foundation for a national vision of stewardship centered around green infrastructure. Together, we have developed maps that provide a snapshot of green infrastructure assets across America for the public to explore. These national green infrastructure maps help people take action in their own communities.
Central to this effort, Esri is developing geospatial tools, data, maps and guidance for the people who face difficult planning decisions. These tools aim to equip resource managers, planners, landscape architects, developers, public officials, and all citizens with the best information possible to aid and more fully engage in the decision making process. While creating such maps is not new, it’s the incredible innovations in GIS technology in combination with the data made available by federal, state and local sources that will help shape a more sustainable future.
We encourage you to learn more about Esri’s Green infrastructure initiative by reading our booklet, discovering data, exploring your community’s green infrastructure assets, and connecting with us to learn more about how green infrastructure can help your community.