In an effort to resolve the changing demands on land use many initiatives have had distinct biases for or against cities or agricultural land use. The social and ecological needs of these two sectors demand a more proactive planning approach that reestablishes the vital connections between land uses and people.

Regardless of where people live, in big cities or on a small family farm, they are becoming more concerned about how land use activities are affecting the environment. In some cases this awareness comes from stricter regulations and in others it is shift of attitude from maximum growth and production to sustainability.

The interconnected network of natural areas like waterways, wetlands, and forests; conservation lands like greenways and parks; and adjacent working lands like farms, ranches, and corporate lands, are called Green Infrastructure. Together these lands can support native species, maintain natural ecological processes, sustain air and water resources, and contribute to the health and quality of life for communities.

This 3 hour Interactive Session will present the issues from both the urban growth and agricultural land points of view along with examples of how the tensions and needs of both sectors are being resolved. The session will end with open discussion of the tools and information needed to develop solutions for rural and urban land uses.