he
intention of this planning effort is to provide ecological
information and tools to local units of government,
organizations and landowners in Presque Isle County through
an innovative partnership between NEMCOG and Michigan’s
natural heritage program (MNFI), with guidance provided by a
locally based steering committee. The planning effort is
being funded by a grant from the Great Lakes National
Program Office of the USEPA.
The overall goal
is to expand communities’ abilities toincorporate natural
resource information and conservation strategies into their
land use planning, zoning and land development practices.
The project will address biodiversity and ecosystem change
and support the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat.
Green
infrastructure provides a diversity of public and private
functions and values that address both natural and human
needs and benefit the environment and communities. Green
infrastructure systems help protect and restore naturally
functioning ecosystems and provide a framework for future
development. In doing so, they provide a diversity of
ecological, social, and economic functions and benefits:
enriched habitat and
biodiversity;
maintenance of natural
landscape processes;
cleaner air and water;
increased recreational
and transportation opportunities;
improved health; and
better connection to
nature and sense of place.
Well planned green space has also been shown to increase
property values and decrease the costs of public
infrastructure and public services, including the costs for
stormwater management and water treatment systems.
