Natural infrastructure, also referred to as green infrastructure, uses existing natural areas (and engineered solutions that mimic natural processes) to minimize flooding, erosion, and runoff. Additional benefits can include increased recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat, as well as cleaner water. Below are key Digital Coast resources useful for communities considering nature-based solutions to enhance their flooding resilience.
Understand the Basics
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Training – Online Guide
Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Hazards: The Basics
Learn an approach to identifying your community’s coastal hazard issues, ecosystem services that can help reduce impacts, and green infrastructure practices that provide critical services.
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Training – In-person and Virtual Course
Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Hazards
Attend in-person or virtual training to discuss key nature-based solutions and implementation steps, and hear from experts in the field.
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Training – Online Guide
Green Infrastructure Effectiveness Database
Discover literature documenting the effectiveness, as well as cost and benefits, of various green infrastructure techniques.
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Training – Quick Reference
Measures for Shoreline Stabilization
Get information on a continuum of green to gray shoreline stabilization techniques that can help reduce coastal risks.
Communicate the Issue
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Training – Video
Green Infrastructure Protective Services
Watch a short animation describing the protective benefits of green infrastructure. This is a useful outreach tool.
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Training – Quick Reference
Green Infrastructure Benefits
Use this handout to provide local officials with information on the protective benefits of green infrastructure.
Analyze the Landscape
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Tool
Land Cover Atlas
Use land cover data to identify existing green infrastructure and see how it has changed over time. Data are also available for download.
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Tool
Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper
Map people, places, and natural resources exposed to coastal flooding. Use the information to start community conversations about risk reduction strategies.
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Tool
Sea Level Rise Viewer
Use the “marsh migration” tab to see how wetlands in your area are impacted by sea level rise. Watch the tutorial to see how to get the most out of this powerful information resource.
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Tool
Lake Level Viewer (U.S. Great Lakes)
View lake level changes in the Great Lakes to see potential shoreline and coastal impacts to help make land use decisions.
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Training – Online Guide
How to Map Open Space for Community Rating System Credit
Calculate open space credits for existing and future preserved lands that could result in considerable flood insurance discounts from FEMA.
Prioritize Options
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Training – Online Guide
Green Infrastructure Mapping Guide
Use this guide to develop a GIS work plan to prioritize green infrastructure approaches.
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Training – Publication
Assessing Green Infrastructure Costs and Benefits
Discover this six-step process for analyzing green infrastructure techniques in terms of cost versus benefits.
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Training – Online Guide
Adapting Stormwater Management for Coastal Floods
Increased flooding will impact stormwater management. Use this resource to help identify risk and the appropriate response.
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Training – Quick Reference
Nature-Based Solutions: Benefits, Costs, and Economic Assessments
Use these three quick references to gain information about green infrastructure practices and benefits, installation and maintenance costs, and tips for assessing the costs and benefits.
Explore Economic Approaches
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Training – Quick Reference
Funding and Financing: Options and Considerations for Coastal Resilience Projects
Learn about the variety of options available to fund and finance coastal resilience projects.
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Training – Webinar
Funding and Financing Coastal Resilience
Participate in webinars (or access recordings and associated resources) that bring experts together to discuss options for funding and financing coastal resilience projects.
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Training – Virtual Course
Economic Guidance for Coastal Managers
Participate in a webinar and access a self-paced online module to learn about economic assessments available to help you select coastal resilience projects.