Group releases first State of Public Sector Green Infrastructure Report

April 5, 2023
The report explores the state of local public sector green infrastructure, including barriers to implementation, primary drivers, current activity, and more.

The Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange announced the release of its first State of Public Sector Green Infrastructure Report.

The report establishes the first national baseline dataset to illustrate the state of local public sector green infrastructure implementation.

"We are excited to provide these new insights into the state of green infrastructure implementation in the public sector," said Barbara Hopkins, Executive Director for the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange. "We believe this report will be a valuable resource for communities looking to expand their green infrastructure efforts while centering community and ensuring long-term sustainability."

In 2022, members of the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange conducted the inaugural State of Public Sector Green Stormwater Infrastructure survey. The results of this survey and corresponding research efforts were the basis for The State of Public Sector Green Infrastructure Report, commissioned by the Exchange and authored by Greenprint Partners.

The report delves into critical questions surrounding green infrastructure, including the primary drivers and barriers to implementation, the most effective levers for scaling implementation, and where green infrastructure is currently being built. It also explores the characteristics of high-impact green infrastructure and how they can be established as a national standard.

Based on survey responses from 50+ stormwater management organizations across the country, the report provides recommendations for the public sector and those seeking to support scaling of green infrastructure that serves communities. It also aims to move the industry toward a shared standard for green infrastructure that centers community, emphasizes vegetative practices where feasible, and is designed for multi-benefits, long-term maintenance, performance inspection, and impact evaluation.

The State of Public Sector Green Infrastructure Report is accessible online now at www.stateofgsi.org.

The Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange is a social impact network of public sector green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) professionals.  The Exchange develops innovations in GSI practice and promotes the equitable implementation of GSI across the U.S. and Canada.