The Conservation Fund, headquartered in Virginia, has a dual mission of conserving critical lands and fostering economic development through sustainable practices. The Fund, through the leadership of Kris Hoellen, has been instrumental in implementing strategic approaches for prioritizing conservation efforts in accordance with land use development — combining the green and the grey.
One project the Fund has invested in is the South Maryland 301 project. This project has been recommended by Meg Gaffney-Smith, Chief of Regulatory, USACE, as a potential model for the Six-County Aquatic Resources Inventory and for RUCS overall. SACOG learned more about the project while participating in a Peer Review hosted by FHWA, in which the project was lauded as an example of early coordination with federal agencies.
RUCS consultant Stacey McKinley and Christopher Hunter, Deputy Regulatory Chief, Sacramento District, had the opportunity to meet with Hoellen in February, and learned a great deal about The Conservation Fund's nationwide portfolio of green infrastructure investment and how they have successfully connected environmental, social and economic health across urban, suburban and rural settings.
The Conservation Fund has invited SACOG to participate in a four-day seminar in May, on strategic conservation planning using green infrastructure. They are also planning a study trip to the Sacramento region to offer a place-based seminar. More details will follow on this exciting opportunity.
For more information contact Stacey McKinley at smckinley@sacog.org.