OKI Greenspace Program
OKI promotes the conservation of greenspace for the benefits of conserving natural systems and their functions, adding economic value to communities, and improving the quality of people’s lives.

OKI’s Greenspace Program was established to address local interest in conserving greenspace as the region grows. OKI’s program advances greenspace through efforts to implement OKI’s Strategic Regional Policy Plan; to bring environmental considerations more fully into the transportation planning process; and to promote and facilitate the conservation of greenspace throughout the region.

Transportation & The Environment
OKI is responsible for efforts to bring environmental consideration more fully into the transportation planning process.  This work is based on requirements in the federal transportation law SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/safetealu/.  This Act requires OKI to consult with state and local agencies responsible for land use management, natural resources, environmental protection, conservation, and historic preservation concerning the development of the transportation plan. OKI’s consultations with state agencies are underway.

The consultations process includes a review of the region’s environmental resources that are least impaired or most valuable based on state conservation plans, maps, or inventories.  OKI engages state and local agencies in a comparison of these high-quality environmental resources with the region’s transportation system and recommended improvements. The process enables cumulative development impacts to be considered in transportation decision-making, local development practices, and conservation strategies. OKI will also be consulting with state and federal agencies about potential environmental mitigation strategies on a regional scale.

These consultations are a tool for more fully considering the regional transportation plan’s environmental effects. OKI is integrating consultations into regional transportation planning for the potential to avoid or reduce costly environmental impacts and build cost-effective strategies for mitigation.

State Conservation Agencies are participating in consultations with OKI that involve a comparison of the regional transportation plan with environmental resources identified in state conservation plans, maps, or inventories. 

View Agences >>> Ohio | Kentucky | Indiana

Regionally Significant Natural Systems
OKI’s Strategic Regional Policy Plan identifies the need to protect and improve the diversity and sustainability of the region’s natural systems. OKI strives to be a clearinghouse for incentives and programs that could be used by local governments to conserve regionally significant natural systems.

As such, OKI is currently inventorying local government efforts to protect or add trees. Local governments in the region are working to expand and maintain trees through Tree City USA, local ordinances, tree canopy assessments, memorial tree-planting programs, and other efforts. Based on inventory results, OKI will be providing information and developing strategies to help local and regional efforts to increase tree cover. If you would like to provide OKI with information on your jurisdiction’s tree-conservation efforts, experiences, or suggestions, please contact Margo Lindahl at Mlindahl@oki.org.

Directory of Local Greenspace Organizations

How is greenspace being conserved in the OKI Region? How can you or your community help maintain or add greenspace? Local organizations can provide information, technical assistance, opportunities for involvement, partnership, expertise and model programs.  View websites to learn about local initiatives, resources and opportunities for conserving environmental resources and expanding greenspace.

County Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Conservation Districts
Environmental Stakeholder Groups
Land Trusts and Conservancies
Membership Organizations
Organizations that Promote Green Infrastructure for Stormwater Management
Organizations that Support Agriculture
Park Agencies/Departments and Greenspace Committees
Watershed Organizations
Other Resource Organizations