Climate Resilience

Nature-based Solutions

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can be as diverse, simple or complex, as Nature itself. New NbS concepts will continue to develop as we observe resilient natural systems and learn to restore and recreate them in human landscapes. When exploring NbS, you can also look for references to green infrastructure, blue-green infrastructure, and natural infrastructure. This Plan focuses on the NbS most appropriate for our watershed conditions and needs.

Green Infrastructure (Source: https://www.brec.org/green-infrastructure)

This Plan is based on three simple principles of NbS:

Protect

our existing, functional natural systems (i.e. forests, wetlands, floodplains)

Restore

functional natural systems where possible (i.e. plant trees, pollinator gardens)

Create

human built nature-based systems where needed (i.e. bioswales, green roofs, porous paving)

What are the direct benefits and co-benefits of implementing Nature-based Solutions in our watershed?

The beauty of NbS is that most solutions for any single problem provide a multitude of co-benefits beyond addressing the single issue for which they were selected. For example, trees planted for shade to reduce temperatures along a street can also provide habitat for birds and help to absorb rainfall. Co-benefits can include food and water security, economic growth, and improved human health (both physical and mental). Compared to the cost of more traditional gray infrastructure, typically incorporating concrete, piping and mechanical systems, NbS are often much less expensive while lasting much longer, with considerably less or even no maintenance required.

What risks and NbS are you interested in learning more about?

This Plan is organized to address the particular interests of different individuals whether you’re a municipal official or professional looking to resolve community or site problems, or you’re an individual, land manager, or young person, who wants to help by using NbS in your yard, property, and neighborhood. That being said, nature and climate issues cross all boundaries, so we encourage you to explore any section for information that may be of interest to you.