Draft Chapter: Environmental Stewardship

Chapter Summary

This chapter emphasizes the importance of protecting and restoring the county's diverse ecosystems, including various habitats and species.

Key Points:

The county's "green network" ranges from parks to pollinator gardens to green roofs and provides benefits such as improved air and water quality, flood protection, and habitat preservation.
Protecting water quality continues to be a priority, and recommendations include improving stormwater management, erosion control, and protecting and restoring stream buffers.
Biodiversity conservation efforts focus on preserving large forest blocks and habitat corridors identified in the Biodiversity Action Plan and protecting water quality for aquatic life.
The plan incorporates recommendations from the County’s Stream Health Initiative and the Biodiversity Action Plan.
Objectives include protecting and restoring waterways, reducing pollution entering our waterways, improving groundwater quality and quantity, and preserving and connecting critical habitats.
Actions proposed include updating ordinances, implementing conservation programs, increasing funding for environmental initiatives, and partnering with local organizations.
There are also many opportunities for community involvement through the Environmental Stewardship Hub, which provides resources for local actions to protect the environment.