Living Infrastructure Initiative
Mission of the Initiative
To enhance Virginia’s natural resilience by providing advanced training and technical assistance to professionals involved in the design, installation, maintenance, and funding of nature-based water management projects; to provide grant funding for living infrastructure projects throughout Virginia’s coastal region; and to expand the network of living infrastructure professionals throughout the Commonwealth.
Living Infrastructure Programs
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Program
The Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) program is a comprehensive certification and training initiative designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of professionals committed to sustainable landscape management in the Chesapeake Bay region. With two levels of certification, the program offers a robust curriculum that covers foundational and advanced principles in green infrastructure, conservation landscaping, and stormwater management.
Level One Certification provides participants with essential training in the design, installation, and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, focusing on best management practices for stormwater. The curriculum includes a combination of in-person classes, online resources, and a written examination.
Level Two Certification, on the other hand, caters to experienced professionals and delves into complex design and implementation techniques for green infrastructure and conservation landscapes. This advanced certification involves a comprehensive seminar and practical project work, allowing participants to apply their skills in real-world scenarios.
In addition to the primary certification programs, CBLP offers specialized training courses that address specific aspects of sustainable landscape management. These include the CBLP-Buffers course, which focuses on the design and maintenance of riparian buffers, and CBLP-Crews, a targeted program for landscape crews involved in maintaining stormwater best management practices. The CBLP-A entry-level program introduces high school students to fundamental concepts in green infrastructure and conservation landscaping, while the CBLP-Shorelines course provides professional development on Living Shoreline services.
Through these varied offerings, the CBLP program is building a greatly needed resilience workforce. CBLP equips a wide range of professionals with the knowledge and practical experience needed to contribute effectively to conservation efforts, fostering a community of skilled practitioners dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding ecosystems.
Coastal Resilience & Trees Fund
As climate change intensifies, strengthening the resilience of our coastal regions is more important than ever. The Coastal Resilience & Trees Fund is dedicated to enhancing Virginia's coastal ecosystems by funding initiatives that address flooding, sea level rise, and extreme weather events. By expanding the tree canopy and supporting wetland restoration, we aim to bolster natural defenses and preserve vital habitats along Virginia's Coastal Zone.
Administered in partnership with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, this grant program provides financial support to localities, organizations, and landowners for small-scale living infrastructure projects.
These projects focus on wetland restoration and conservation efforts that not only protect shorelines but also enrich biodiversity and ecological balance. Through these community-driven initiatives, we promote nature-based solutions that contribute to a healthier environment and more resilient coastal communities.
2024 Update: Program Paused
Please note that the program is currently paused. We will announce any updates as circumstances merit.
Resilient Shorelines Program
The Resilient Shorelines Program is committed to promoting practices that balance erosion control with habitat preservation, ensuring that our shorelines remain robust and ecologically vibrant.
Our mission is to assist living infrastructure specialists in integrating sea level rise and climate change considerations into their work. We provide advanced training and technical support in the design, installation, and maintenance of resilient shorelines, with a special focus on the tidal James River watershed.
By uniting professional practitioners, local government representatives, community members, and local nonprofits in this work, we strive to expand the use of nature-based solutions along Virginia’s shorelines. These collaborations aim to strengthen shoreline resilience and safeguard critical habitats, benefiting both the environment and the communities that depend on it.
Native Biodiversity Program
As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, fostering resilient ecosystems is more important than ever. Native plants are more resilient to changing climate conditions, like periods of flooding and drought. Native species are much better of withstanding and recovering from climate stress. In Virginia, planting native species is a proactive step toward preserving our natural heritage while supporting wildlife habitats and ecological balance.
Our Native Plant Guide for Southeast Virginia is designed to help you select and cultivate native plants that are well-suited to our region's unique climate and soils. Native plants have evolved over thousands of years to thrive in local conditions, making them more resistant to pests, diseases, and extreme weather events.
By integrating these plants into your yard or places of work, you contribute to a network of habitats that support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.
Embracing native biodiversity is not just about planting plants—it's about nurturing an environment that can adapt to and mitigate the effects of a changing climate.