Nature-Based Solutions Policy Options

Policy Options

(‘**’ indicates bipartisan support)

Green Infrastructure

• **Florida S.B. 976 (enacted 2021): Encouraged new approaches and financing mechanisms for the protection of the state’s wildlife corridor, including public-private partnerships, payments for ecosystem services, and blended financing for resilience and green infrastructure.
• Maryland H.B. 653 (enacted 2022): Specified that the maintenance and repair of source watersheds, including the installation and maintenance of green infrastructure that improves water quality, is eligible for the same forms of financial assistance as other water collection and treatment infrastructure.
• Oregon H.B. 3409 (enacted 2023): Includes the creation of a Community Green Infrastructure Grant Program which supports green infrastructure projects, especially in environmental justice communities. 

Carbon Sequestration 

• Massachusetts H.B. 5250 (enacted 2021): Directs a state-wide accounting of carbon in natural and working lands. It also sets goals for land-use carbon sequestration and the development of accompanying policies.  
• Virginia S.B. 1374 (enacted 2021): Convenes a task to study carbon sequestration to consider possible methods of increasing carbon sequestration through the natural environment and to recommend practices for restoring natural resources.

Blue Carbon

• California AB 1922 (introduced 2024): Authorizes blue carbon demonstration projects to demonstrate and quantify their carbon sequestration potential to help inform the state’s natural and working lands and climate resiliency strategies. 
• Maryland H.B.653/S.B.348 (enacted 2022): Established a Green and Blue Infrastructure Policy Advisory Commission to help implement blue infrastructure projects that improve climate resilience, project habitats, and sequester carbon.

Forests

• Colorado H.B. 1012 (enacted 2022): Focused on promoting healthy forests and includes provisions for developing a statewide carbon accounting framework and a forest carbon co-benefit framework
• Washington H.B. 1216 (enacted 2022): Enhanced urban and community forestry programs through increased tree canopy, urban forest management, and community engagement, to achieve the benefits of urban forests, such as stormwater management, carbon sequestration, and improved air and water quality.

Sustainable Agriculture

• Minnesota H.F. 701(enacted 2021): Provides direct payments to farmers who implement soil-healthy practices, prioritizing awards based on scientific understanding of carbon sequestration potential. 
• Washington’s SB 5947 (enacted 2020): Created a grant program for farmers who engage in healthy soil practices, including carbon sequestration. The law directs the development of a carbon equivalency metric through partnership with state public universities.

Wildlife Coexistence:

• **Colorado SB 171 (enacted 2024): Authorizes the reintroduction of wolverines to Colorado in order to improve the species’ ability to reoccupy its historical range and restore its benefits to ecosystems and biodiversity. 

• California AB 2196 (enacted 2024): Creates a program to restore beaver to watersheds throughout the state of California for its cultural significance and role in improving biodiversity, climate change resilience, and watershed health.