Mission: This project aims to incorporate green infrastructure into development designs. As we look into the future, we know that growth is inevitable; however future growth should be well planned with green infrastructure in mind. This includes the natural environment and the people that live within it.
FoMS treasurer Sid McCausland presents before Palmer City Council.
In the past, development was mainly thought of in terms of gray infrastructure to meet our needs. Public works departments take care of “Gray Infrastructure”, things like roads, water systems, sewer systems, etc. Green Infrastructure provides some of the same, complementary, services as gray infrastructure, while taking in to consideration natural spaces and their associated benefits to human populations.
Recognizing the potential, local governments across the country have started to incorporate Green Infrastructure into their community planning process.
Mat-Su Borough caught wind of outside local governments’ interest in Green Infrastructure and realized that the Mat-Su is lucky enough to still have a lot of green infrastructure and very little gray infrastructure. So there is still time for us to incorporate our green infrastructure into our economic, environmental, storm water management and quality of life decisions.
Project Design: Over the coming year, FoMS will facilitate the following activities.
- Education and outreach with local community groups to teach about green infrastructure basics.
- Create Geographic Information System Layers
- Recruit Planning Teams
- Draft Green Infrastructure Designs for the Core Area
- Present Designs to Borough
- Begin Discussion of Green Infrastructure Implementation for the Core Area
Partnerships: FoMS is contracted by the Borough to work with the community to develop a Green Infrastructure Design for the Core Area of the Mat-Su Borough.
Get Involved: If you would like to become part of the core area planning team or would like to learn more information please contact Kathy Wells, Executive Director of FoMS at 746-0130.
