VA Association of RC&Ds Land Protection Committee

Green Infrastructure Workshop

Background: At its Annual Spring meeting in May 2006, the Virginia Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils (VARC&D) decided to collectively focus on land protection/PDRs as a state-wide priority, in order to assist the Governor in his goal of protecting 400,000 acres by 2010. An ad-hoc Land Protection Committee was established, with representatives from the six RC&D Councils across the state. Committee members included:

Shenandoah RC&D                              John Eckman and Jim Lawrence

Old Dominion RC&D                           Dave Roberts and Mary K. Whitmer

New River-Highlands RC&D               Don Philen

Eastern Shore RC&D                           Jane Corson-Lassiter

Tidewater RC&D                                 Prue Davis

Black Diamond RC&D             Blaine Delaney

VA Dept of Forestry                            Ed Zimmer

At its first meeting, the Land Protection Committee discussed potential tasks it could undertake to address the varying land conservation needs of RC&D Councils. There was considerable interest in convening a workshop to increase understanding of strategic conservation approaches and methods. The workshop could also serve as a pilot to explore future opportunities for green infrastructure planning, partnership development and capacity building for RC&Ds in Virginia.

Workshop Framework:  The Committee developed a series of presentations on land protection and the state’s PDR program as a component of its 2006-2007 Fall and Spring meetings. The next step is the upcoming Green Infrastructure Workshop which provides an in depth presentation on the green infrastructure approach to strategic land protection, including examples and case studies.  The workshop is being offered to all those with an interest in land protection and natural resource conservation issues. It is hoped that the RC&Ds and other local and regional organizations can assist the state in its effort to promote land protection in general and specifically the Green Infrastructure planning approach.  This workshop seeks to identify resources for assistance and develop a framework for coordinating outreach on a local and regional scale. 

The purpose of the Green Infrastructure Workshop is to:

-         Increase awareness and understanding of the various land conservation issues and needs throughout Virginia;

-         Expand the capacity of RC&Ds and others to address local needs, and contribute to the  Governor’s goal of protecting 400,000 acres by 2010;

-         Provide information on resources, strategies, and case study examples of land protection programs used by communities in Virginia to advance strategic conservation;

-         Develop a consistent state wide network to assist RC&D Councils, land trusts, local and regional planners, and others with green infrastructure outreach

-         Identify representatives from each Council that would be interested in working collaboratively with VDOF and others to expand green infrastructure concepts and principles throughout Virginia.