NARC Provides Funding for Green Infrastructure Initiatives

The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC), with support from the U.S. Forest Service, is seeking applications for the distribution of grants to regional organizations promoting the use of green infrastructure. Two grants, in the amount of $5,000-7,500 each, will be awarded to regional planning organizations to enable these organizations to promote green infrastructure best-practices, programs and projects to their peers through communication projects. Awardees will be identified as 2010 Regional Centers of Excellence.

In its second year, the program will focus on green infrastructure activities that promote mitigating or adapting to climate change; managing wildland/urban interfaces with public lands; or, promoting regional livability through integrated planning. Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission were named as NARC’s first two Regional Centers of Excellence in 2009.

The Regional Centers of Excellence Initiative, a program of NARC, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, promotes regional green infrastructure planning and implementation by supporting peer-to-peer information sharing among regional planning organizations. By identifying regions with exemplary green infrastructure practices and facilitating mentoring and peer-to-peer exchanges, the Initiative will strengthen green infrastructure projects and catalyze new efforts.

“The Regional Centers of Excellence Initiative is a valuable way to engage NARC members and promote green infrastructure and Landcare initiatives across the country,” said NARC President Stephen Cassano, Selectman, Town of Manchester, CT. “NARC looks forward to awarding these grants and continuing to work with the US Forest Service and regional planning organizations in building public awareness on these important issues.”

Grant applications are due by June 30, 2010, 12am ET. Link to grant application below. NARC will notify grant recipients by July 21, 2010. Recipients will be asked to make a brief presentation during the 45th Annual Conference and Exhibition, in June 2011 in San Diego, CA.