Topic(s):
Conservation, Environmental Resilience, Natural Resources Management, Operations and Maintenance, Revenue Development

Description:
The City of Coralville, Iowa, has created a model for integrating stream mitigation banking within its greenway park system, showing how cities can enhance ecological resilience while funding greenway management. Under the Clean Water Act, projects impacting streams must offset those impacts by purchasing credits from certified mitigation banks. Coralville has incorporated this process into its greenway parks to support habitat restoration, water quality improvement and recreation. Funds from mitigation credits enable stream corridor restoration and preservation with trails for walking, biking and water activities. This approach boosts ecological health while enhancing public access. Revenue supports forest management, invasive species control, native vegetation and biodiversity. Coralville’s strategy demonstrates how mitigation banking can support green space planning and fund conservation. Key insights include regulatory compliance, flood resilience and green infrastructure benefits. This approach offers a replicable framework for cities expanding green spaces, supporting conservation and creating recreational areas that connect residents with nature.

Speaker(s):
Adrian Holmes
Sherri Proud