Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative
In May of 2021, EPA launched the Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative. This cooperative effort fosters engagement and cooperation between agencies that actively work to promote the implementation of green infrastructure.
Collaborative members work closely to align knowledge and resources to build capacity for green infrastructure implementation. These coordinated efforts provide a platform to publicize the multiple environmental, economic, and social benefits of green infrastructure. In addition, the collaborative seeks to facilitate strategies that foster climate resilience and encourage the equitable implementation of green infrastructure in all communities.
On this page:
Background
The Water Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2019 (pdf) sparked the formation of the federal collaborative by directing EPA to coordinate efforts with federal, state, tribal, and local governments to increase the use of green infrastructure, providing an impetus for collaborative efforts to continue to evolve. Although EPA primarily uses the term "green infrastructure" as defined under the Clean Water Act, other government and nongovernmental organizations use other terms to describe the similar nexus of nature and man-made systems:
- nature-based solutions
- engineering with nature
- natural infrastructure
- green stormwater infrastructure
- low-impact development
The first of these listed terms, nature-based solutions, is an umbrella term that 193 member nations agreed upon in March 2022 at the Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly. On November 8, 2022, the White House released a report titled Opportunities to Accelerate Nature-Based Solutions: The Roadmap for Climate Progress, Thriving Nature, Equity, and Prosperity (pdf). Developed in partnership with Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative members, the report provides five recommendations to accelerate nature-based solutions to confront climate change and other major challenges. A companion to the report, the Nature-Based Solutions Resource Guide (pdf), includes 30 case studies of federal agencies supporting green infrastructure, as well as more than 170 knowledge resources, tools, guidance, and technical assistance opportunities.
EPA defines nature-based solutions as actions that protect, conserve, restore and sustainably manage natural or modified ecosystems. They use natural features or processes to address public health and environmental challenges while providing multiple benefits to people and nature. Visit the Green Infrastructure Resources page for other EPA programs that promote these types of solutions.
As nature is seen as a critical infrastructure that provides fundamental services to protect human health, restore our ecosystems, and create resilient communities, the use of "nature-based solutions" across federal programs is common. Nature-based solutions can encompass a wide range of actions that may include planning, design and maintenance of engineering practices that restore, use or enhance natural processes (e.g. green infrastructure, agricultural conservation practices, coastal restoration) and/or protect natural features to preserve ecosystem function (e.g., wetlands, forests, riparian areas, coral reefs).
In 2023, FEMA and EPA updated a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to work together on several fronts including conducting benefit analyses of nature-based solutions for building long-term resilience.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has an initiative, Engineering With Nature®, to align processes of nature with engineering to provide more sustainable delivery of economic, social and environmental benefits associated with infrastructure.
The Department of Interior released a Nature-Based Solutions Roadmap (pdf) to provide staff with consistent and credible information about nature-based solutions, such as what benefits they are likely to provide, example projects, and additional resources for project planning, construction, and monitoring.
Federal Funding Resources
Fall 2024 Federal Funding Opportunities Webinar
Navigating Federal Funding for Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions Table
The Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative understands that one of the barriers accessing federal funding is the complexity of navigating the available opportunities. To support communities, the Collaborative compiled and periodically updates the Navigating Federal Funding for Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions (pdf) table, which is a comprehensive list of green infrastructure federal funding opportunities.
Common Terms
When applying for federal funding and technical assistance it is important to understand which terms are specified in each Notice of Funding Opportunity or Request for Applications. Below are examples of various terms Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative members use.
| Agency | Used Term(s) |
|---|---|
| FEMA | Nature-Based Solutions |
| U.S. Army Corps | Engineering with Nature and Nature-Based Solutions |
| USDA | Conservation, Urban Forests and Restoration Practices |
| Department of Defense | Nature-Based Solutions and Natural Infrastructure |
| Housing and Urban Development | Green Infrastructure |
| General Services Administration | Green Infrastructure |
| Department of State | Green Infrastructure |
| EPA | Green Infrastructure, Nature-Based Solutions and Low Impact Development |
| NOAA | Green Infrastructure and Coastal Restoration |
Department of Defense Resilience Project Funding Guide
On April 11, 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI) (pdf) released the 2023 Resilience Project Funding Guide (pdf).
In coordination with federal agencies of the Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative, REPI created a guide that provides 27 funding programs for nature-based solutions to improve resilience in communities and military installations. It contains a calendar, descriptions, eligibility requirements, and application information for each funding program. It also aligns each program with climate hazard categories: Drought, Wildfire, Coastal Hazard, Riverine Flooding, and Land Degradation.
Past Collaborative Webinars and Events
Quick links:
- Navigating Federal Funding for Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions
- Regional Reflections on Green Infrastructure and Nature Based Solutions
- Barriers to Equitable Implementation of Green Infrastructure and Nature-based Solutions
- Showcasing Leading Practices in Climate Adaptation: Experiences from the Water Sector to Empower Other Sectors and Communities
- American Association for the Advancement of Science Federal Convening on Green and Nature-Based Infrastructure
Navigating Federal Funding for Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions
During this webcast, members of the Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative discussed funding and technical assistance opportunities that advance the implementation of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. Attendees learned how federal programs are helping build vibrant and resilient communities with programs that support designing, constructing, and maintaining green infrastructure. Breakout sessions hosted by Collaborative members provided attendees with the opportunity to pose questions and interact directly with relevant federal agencies.
November 2, 2021
Webcast Materials: Presentation Slides (pdf) and Master Summary of Funding and Technical Assistance Opportunities (pdf)
Speakers
For more information on current funding opportunities, visit EPA's Green Infrastructure Funding webpage.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
Charley Carson, Bradley Dean, Josh Human, Sarah Watling - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Matt Chasse - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Russel Ames, Kevin Farmer - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Mindy Simmons - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Jorge Morales, B. Cory Schwartz, Seema Thomas - U.S. Economic Development Administration
Naomi Friedman - EPA
Jacob Burney, Robyn DeYoung, Ellie Flaherty, Karen Fligger, Wynne Miller, Michael Goralczyk, Samantha Rachko, Santina Wortman
Regional Reflections on Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions
The American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS's) Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues (EPI Center), EPA's Office of Water, and the White House hosted a series of webinars that highlighted regional examples of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. The expert panelists shared their unique, regional experiences planning and implementing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. Additionally, speakers shared opportunities, challenges, barriers, and lessons learned from the design and planning, implementation, and operations and maintenance of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
Northwest
October 12, 2022
View the recording
Panelists
- Nic Kinsman, White House
- John Rozum, NOAA Digital Coast
- Christina Toms, San Francisco Water Quality Control Board
- Tracy Tackett, Seattle Public Utilities
Southwest
September 1, 2022
View the recording
Panelists
- Lydia Olander, Director for Nature-based Resilience, White House, CEQ
- Blue Baldwin, Storm to Shade Program Manager, City of Tucson, Arizona
- Sarah Hurteau, Executive Director, Integrated Biological Solutions, LLC
- Sarah Anderson, Green Infrastructure Program Manager, Denver Transportation and Infrastructure
Great Lakes
July 27, 2022
View the recording
Panelists
- Kelly Coffman, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP—Principal Planner, Cleveland Metroparks
- Breanne L. Plier, AICP, Manager of Sustainability, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
- Sara McMillan, Associate Professor, Purdue University
- Dr. Nic Kinsman, Coastal Resilience Interagency Working Group Co-Lead, NOAA
Gulf Coast and Southeast
June 23, 2022
View the recording
Panelists
- Dr. Nic Kinsman, Coastal Resilience Interagency Working Group Co-Lead, NOAA
- Dr. Angela Chalk, Founder and Executive Director of Healthy Community Services
- Amy Pickle, Director of State Policy Program, Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions
- Dr. Christine Shepard, Director of Science, Gulf of Mexico Program, The Nature Conservancy
Mid-Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay
May 23, 2022
View the recording
Welcome and Keynote Address: David J. Hayes, Special Assistant to the President for Climate Policy
Panelists
- Matt Johnson, Branch Chief, Green Infrastructure Incentives and Assessment Branch, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment
- Jeffrey King, Deputy National Lead and Program Manager, Engineering With Nature® Program, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Krystal Laymon, Deputy Director for Climate Resilience, White House Council on Environmental Quality
- Samantha Rachko, Life Scientist and a Grants Project Officer, State and Watershed Partnerships Section, EPA Region 3
Barriers to Equitable Implementation of Green Infrastructure and Nature-based Solutions
The AAAS EPI Center, the Environmental Council of the States, and EPA's Office of Water co-hosted a panel discussion with representatives of state agencies, decisionmakers, and their associations who shared their experiences accessing and utilizing federal resources for green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. They discussed challenges, barriers, opportunities, and lessons learned from design and planning to implementation as well as operations and maintenance.
States and Municipalities Panel
March 29, 2022
View the recording
Summary of Key Takeaways (pdf)
Panelists
- Lori Beary, former Community Development Director and State Revolving Fund Coordinator, Iowa Finance Authority
- Felicia Marcus, William C. Landreth Visiting Fellow, Stanford University's Water in the West Program, and former Chair of the California State Water Resources Control Board
- Tancred Miller, Policy & Planning Section Chief of Coastal Management, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
- Dr. Bhaskaran Subramanian, Program Manager, NOAA, and former Chief of Shoreline Conservation Service at Maryland Department of Natural Resources
- Mackenzie Todd, Coastal Resilience Specialist, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
NGO and Community Panel
March 3, 2022
View the recording
Summary of Key Takeaways (pdf)
Panelists
- Dr. Angela Chalk, Founder and Executive Director, Healthy Community Services
- Paula Connolly, Director, Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange
- Harriet Festing, Executive Director, Anthropocene Alliance
- Tanner Yess, Co-Executive Director, Groundwork Ohio River Valley
Showcasing Leading Practices in Climate Adaptation: Experiences from the Water Sector to Empower Other Sectors and Communities
NOAA, Water Utility Climate Alliance, The Water Research Foundation, and EPA sponsored an eight-part webinar series. The webinars explored practical lessons and leading practices focused on steps to mainstreaming climate science and adaptation considerations into building for climate resilience. Two of the webinars included Collaborative member panelists.
Please see information on the entire series, including all webinar recordings.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (Session 5)
This session described community experience in deciding to use green stormwater infrastructure, monetizing and quantifying benefits, developing critical stakeholder partnerships, and using available tools to evaluate options to include in adaptation plans.
January 6, 2022
View the recording
Speakers
- Pinar Balci, Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis, New York City Department of Environmental Protection
- Robyn DeYoung, Office of Wastewater Management, EPA
- Janet Clements, Water Economics and Planning, Corona Consulting
Equity and Environmental Justice Considerations in Climate Adaptation (Session 4)
This session highlights how equity can influence community goals and build partnerships with lessons learned and solutions to build equity while adapting to climate change.
December 9, 2021
View the recording
Speakers
- Mami Hara, U.S. Water Alliance
- Yeana Kwagh, Chris Orvin, and Zach Shafer, EPA
- Harriett Festing, Anthropocene Alliance
AAAS Federal Convening on Green and Nature-based Infrastructure
To learn about the information presented during the two-day convening, discussions held, and key resources identified by participants, view the summary of key takeaways (pdf).
The American Association for the Advancement of Science's Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues hosted a convening for federal employees and contractors working on green and nature-based infrastructure. Attended by representatives from 12 federal agencies and planned in collaboration with the EPA Office of Water's green infrastructure staff, the convening discussions focused on identifying successful models, lessons learned, data gaps, challenges and barriers, and opportunities for collaboration.
November 9 and 10, 2021
Event information, key issues, and participating agencies.
Collaborative Members
Participating federal departments and agencies are committed to promoting green infrastructure through their work. Current collaborative members include:
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Executive Office of the President, Council on Environmental Quality
- U.S. Agency for International Development
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- U.S. Economic Development Administration
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of the Army
- U.S. Department of the Navy
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Department of Energy
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- U.S. Department of the Interior
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- National Park Service
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Department of Transportation
- Federal Highway Administration
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. General Services Administration
- U.S. Global Change Research Program
- U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation
- World Health Organization
Is your federal agency interested in working with the Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative? Contact Robyn DeYoung at [email protected] to discuss opportunities.