The California Natural Resources Agency has just published draft Guidelines for a new Proposition 68 Green Infrastructure grant. This program has $18.5 million dollars to invest in projects which accomplish at least one of the following:
- Improve a community’s ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.
- Improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors or habitat.
- Develop future recreational opportunities.
- Enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention.
Projects must be located in or benefit disadvantaged or severely disadvantaged communities.
The examples provided in the Guidelines include:
- Establishment, enhancement, and expansion of neighborhood parks and community spaces.
- Tree-canopy/shade trees.
- Greening of public lands and structures, including schoolyards.
- Multi-objective stormwater projects, including construction of permeable surfaces, collection basins and barriers.
- Bioswales and rain gardens to mitigate stormwater runoff.
- Green streets and alleyways.
- River, creek and stream restoration.
- Community or outdoor education gardens and orchards.
- Non-motorized trails that provide safe routes for travel between residences, workplaces, commercial centers, and schools.
- Heat island mitigation and energy conservation efforts through landscaping and green roof projects.
- Acquisitions to preserve in perpetuity land for agricultural uses, open space, wetlands, etc.
- Creation or restoration of existing wetlands, recharge ponds, floodplain, or riparian corridors.
The draft deadline for applications is June 28. The Resources Agency will be holding three public hearings on the Guidelines in early March. See the website for details.