Natural Resources Matter
Overview : Natural Resources Matter
THE KEY STEPS IN NATURAL RESOURCE-BASED PLANNING ARE:
- Identify community issues and goals
- Conduct a natural resource inventory
- Conduct an assessment of your NRI
- Develop a plan
- Implement the plan
- Monitor your community's progress
Green infrastructure provides environmental
benefits like supporting wildlife, improving the quality of air and water,
and providing places for people to interact with nature. Natural resources also
provide many other benefits for your community, such as:
- Improving human health, well being, and quality of life
- Minimizing the effects of floods
- Increasing property values
- Reducing energy costs
- Reducing infrastructure costs
- Supporting economic development and tourism
Impacts to natural resources are also closely linked to your community issues such as
land use, housing, economic development, transportation, utilities, and community services.
Consider:
- Will development harm the resources that draw people to my community?
- How will land use changes increase the risk of flooding or decrease water quality?
- What is the community's risk for loss of life and property due to wildfire?
- How effectively are industrial wastes cleaned up before being released into the environment?
- How does the construction and operation of roads impact wildlife and water quality?
- Are individual sewage treatment systems properly maintained to prevent pollution of groundwater and nearby lakes and rivers?
- Are new impervious areas such as roads and parking lots cutting off groundwater recharge thus impacting water supplies and streams, lakes and wetlands?
Damaging green infrastructure can have unforeseen consequences and profound negative impacts on your
community. More importantly, the benefits of properly preserving and managing the natural resources
within your community can be tremendous.
Public opinion says:
- Natural areas such as lakes, wetlands and forests are important - 96% agree;
- Purchasing and maintaining natural areas plays a very important role in preserving
the quality of life in my area - 88% agree; and
- My county should have an ongoing program to purchase, restore and maintain natural areas - 83% agree.
Reference: American Viewpoint, Inc., 2000. Twin Cities Metropolitan Natural Areas Survey.
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Did you know?
Owners of small companies ranked recreation/parks/open space as the HIGHEST priority in choosing a new location for their business.
Reference: The Conservation Fund, 2002. Green Infrastructure: A Strategic Approach to Green Space Planning and Conservation.
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NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION AREAS
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NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AREAS
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OUTDOOR RECREATION AREAS
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AREAS FOR
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PROTECTION OF
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PUBLIC HEALTH
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AND SAFETY
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AREAS THAT DEFINE
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COMMUNITY
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CHARACTER
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