THE STATE WE’RE IN

By: Michele S. Byers
   I recently came across these wonderful words from Ed McMahon, vice president for land use programs at The Conservation Fund. I hope you enjoy his message as much as I did!
   
"Great shifts in public climate are often marked by changes in the nomenclature. This is one reason why we are hearing the term "green infrastructure" more and more often.
   For decades people who were deaf, blind or confined to a wheelchair were referred to as "handicapped." It was understood that they couldn’t do what other people could. In the 1970s this perception began to change. Instead of focusing solely on the "handicap," people began to think about the "person with the disabilities" rather than the disability itself. We came to understand that they could pretty much do what anybody else could do — with accommodation. The results of a simple shift in perception are all around us.
   "Today the economy is lagging and budgets are tight. Open space funding is on the chopping block. This is because the public and local officials think open space is a luxury they can no longer afford. They think of it as an amenity, something that is nice to have. We view infrastructure as a primary public investment, not something we pay for with leftover money. Likewise, public officials understand that infrastructure must be constantly upgraded and maintained. It is not something we just buy and forget. Finally, we all know that infrastructure must be developed as a system, not as isolated parts.
   "One way to change this perception of open space as an amenity is to change the nomenclature. Webster’s New World Dictionary defines infrastructure as ‘the substructure or underlying foundation, especially the basic installations or facilities upon which the continuance and growth of a community depends.’ People understand the need to invest in infrastructure — even in an era of deficits. Next to national defense, funding for roads, bridges, sewers, airports and other forms of capital infrastructure is always at the top of the list. However, just as we must carefully plan for and invest in our environmental or green infrastructure.
   "Green infrastructure is the ecological framework needed for environmental, social and economic sustainability. It is our nation’s natural life support system. Green infrastructure is an interconnected network of green space that conserves natural ecosystem values and functions and provides a wide array of benefits to people, wildlife and communities. For example, green infrastructure reduces a community’s susceptibility to floods, fires and other natural disasters. Documenting these public benefits is a key step toward securing adequate funding.
   "Words matter. I believe a shift in nomenclature from talking about open space to talking about green infrastructure will help communities understand that green space is a basic necessity that should be planned and developed as an integrated system.
   "A popular bumper sticker says, ‘If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.’ Well, if you think green space is expensive, just imagine the future costs for clean air, clean water and healthy natural systems if we don’t invest in green infrastructure today."
   
We are lucky to have people like this working in land conservation across the country who think about open space as an important part of our communities. In New Jersey, we also are working to create a green infrastructure to protect our precious natural resources and maintain our quality of life!
   I hope you’ll contact me at 1-888-LAND-SAVE or [email protected], or visit NJCF’s Web site at www.njconservation.org, for more information about conserving New Jersey’s precious land and natural resources.
Michele S. Byers is executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.