Our society invests heavily in a "gray infrastructure" of roads, water and sewer systems, and other utilities. But it's just as important to invest in a "green infrastructure" of parks, wetlands, river corridors, and greenways.

According to the Conservation Fund, green infrastructure is our natural life support system — an interconnected network of protected land and water that supports native species, maintains natural ecological processes, sustains air and water resources and contributes to the health and quality of life for communities and people.

Since 2002, Cuyahoga County has been considered "fully developed"—the first county in Ohio to reach built-out status. The county's planning commission is leading an effort to catalog and preserve prime green space through its Greenspace Plan and Greenprint map. The basic elements of the plan include the creation of a system of natural corridors, a countywide trail system, the preservation of scenic views, and the protection and restoration of critical natural areas. The involvement of the public through education and private property stewardship is also a key element.

This section will cover efforts to improve the region's essential green infrastructure.

Resources

• Cuyahoga County Greenspace Plan
• GreenInfrastructure.net
• Making the city a sponge
• Cleveland breaks ground on green infrastructure
• Urban agriculture and re-greening Cleveland
• Photo gallery on best practices in green infrastructure