TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The Garden Club of America endorses the transition to a fully electrified transportation system supported by clean, renewable energy, as well as infrastructure that builds resiliency, supports biodiversity, and helps natural and human systems adapt to climate change. The GCA encourages policies that promote green infrastructure and natural strategies such as the use of buffers to reduce stormwater runoff and water pollution, living shorelines to minimize storm damage,and native plants to improve resiliency and cost efficiency, as well as to prevent erosion and improve wildlife habitat. As cities are projected to be home to a large majority of the nation’s population by 2050, the GCA supports efforts to introduce and enhance green infrastructure in our urban areas including but not limited to, increased tree canopy and expanded city parks and green spaces. The GCA continues its historical support of scenic byways and highways, with unobstructed views that enhance the unique character of local communities.

The Garden Club of America supports federal, state, and local legislation, policy, and individual action that address the following:

TRANSPORTATION

• Reduce CO2 emissions by promoting clean and renewable energy sources for the transportation sector, supported by a sustainable and workable grid.
• Uphold the National Environmental Policy Act and safeguard the public’s ability to participate in the review process of major federal projects.
• Ensure that environmental impact studies and assessments for transportation projects consider the effects of rising seas, warming atmosphere, and changing weather patterns in their review, to the fullest extent of the science available.
• Support the Clean Air Act, especially in requiring reductions in transportation emissions, particulate matter, and other pollutants. Promote clean and renewably-powered public transportation that reduces air pollution.
• Support the Clean Water Act which addresses water degradation in transportation corridors (including runoff from roads, urban areas, and agriculture), by utilizing native flora and natural features to create buffer areas, filter pollution, and sequester carbon while providing wildlife habitat and scenic beauty.
• Reduce the use of harmful chemicals in regular maintenance protocols such as ice removal and invasive species control and encourage technological innovation in support of alternative protocols.

INFRASTRUCTURE

• Champion infrastructure development that supports carbon-free alternative modes of transportation, including walkways, bike lanes and trails.
• Advocate for the reuse and redevelopment of highways and other man-made infrastructure that reduces equitable access to clean air, clean water and green space.
• Encourage federal, state and local highway departments to expand the use of native, non-invasive pollinator friendly plants in all possible locations to promote biodiversity and improve air and water quality.
• Advocate for the construction of plant and wildlife corridors to allow for species migration and reduce wildlife- vehicle collision.
• Encourage the undergrounding of utility wires to safeguard bird populations, reduce wildfire risk, combat weather-related vulnerabilities, increase dependability of the grid and enhance scenic beauty.
• Support the ongoing review of dam infrastructures and promote removal where warranted.
• Expand designations for national and state scenic byways and encourage continued funding.