This measure uses land use conservation strategies to remove carbon. It encourages the adoption of sustainable land management practices, the integration of nature-based solutions, and the protection and restoration of natural areas. By focusing on enhancing green infrastructure, supporting healthy forests and habitats, and promoting responsible land stewardship, this measure aims to enhance sequestration and build long-term resilience for communities and natural systems.

KEY ACTIONS

1. Retrofit and implement green infrastructure projects at public facilities and municipally owned properties, such as libraries, government buildings, rights-of-way, parks and recreation facilities, and schools.
2. Install wildlife corridors to preserve habitat connectivity, increase green cover, and improve safety.
3. Conserve core habitats and minimize habitat fragmentation to reduce edge effects and support biodiversity.

Outcomes

This measure aims to accelerate the adoption of agrivoltaics - the dual use of land for both agriculture and solar energy production - by addressing regulatory, land use, and educational barriers. The measure supports sustainable land management, renewable energy generation, and resilient food production systems within the region.

KEY ACTIONS

1. Clarify zoning practices for agrivoltaics to reduce barriers for farmers while ensuring the protection of agricultural land.
2. Work with Dominion Energy to discuss multi-use opportunities for land under or parallel to utility rights-of-way.
3. Integrate Pollinator Smart practices in solar energy projects to enhance biodiversity and support ecosystem health.
4. Establish a demonstration agrivoltaics project within the MSA.
5. Work with Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) to share information about agrivoltaic options and any available grant or financing sources.
6. Promote agrivoltaics to hops growers and vineyards in the MSA and establish a demonstration project.

Outcomes

This measure focuses on strengthening local and regional food systems by promoting sustainable urban agriculture and improving food distribution networks. This supports economic development, enhances access to fresh and healthy food, and encourages the preservation and productive use of urban land. By fostering collaboration among communities, institutions, and local governments, the measure aims to build a resilient and equitable food system that benefits both urban and rural areas throughout the region.

KEY ACTIONS

1. Develop a farmer's market barge network along waterways to connect rural and urban locations in the MSA and throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
2. Conduct an agriculture/forestry economic study to analyze how local spending is allocated to different aspects of urban tree care and urban agriculture, identifying areas with high return on investment for local spending.
3. Support the National Urban Agriculture Initiative in Richmond.
4. Support agriculture community land trusts to preserve agricultural land and make it accessible to small or new farmers.
5. Preserve urban agricultural space by exploring the reuse of locality-owned parcels for urban agriculture.

Outcomes

This measure aims to expand and protect urban tree canopy across the region by setting clear canopy targets, prioritizing tree planting in areas with limited coverage, and supporting tree preservation and maintenance efforts. By working with local governments, nonprofits, and community groups, the measure seeks to enhance climate resilience, reduce urban heat, improve air quality, and increase carbon sequestration. Programs to assist landowners, incentivize tree care, and train community stewards will help ensure healthy, equitable, and sustainable urban forests that provide lasting environmental and social benefits.

KEY ACTIONS

1. Establish regional tree canopy cover targets, possibly tailored to different land use types.
2. Develop a regional urban reforestation initiative in partnership with local governments, nonprofits, and community groups to prioritize tree planting in areas with local canopy coverage and high urban heat island effects.
3. Create programs to assist private landowners in maintaining and preserving their trees. Offer incentives for tree care and penalties for the removal of healthy trees.
4. Implement cutting0edge techniques to reduce the costs of maintaining urban trees and enhance carbon sequestration. Example: Using biochar as a soil amendment to boost carbon storage and improve tree health where suitable.
5. Develop tree preservation ordinances that provides clear protections for mature trees, requires replacement plantings for removals, and includes penalties for unauthorized tree removals.
6. Establish a certified tree steward program to train volunteers in tree care, maintenance, and community engagement to support urban forestry initiatives.

Outcomes

This measure focuses on increasing soil conservation practices in agriculture to sequester carbon and improve environmental health and farm productivity. By encouraging the integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, supporting practices such as silvopasture and streamside forest buffers, and advocating for sustained policy and funding support, this measure aims to enhance soil health, reduce erosion, sequester carbon, and protect water quality. These efforts help build more resilient and sustainable farming systems while supporting biodiversity and long-term economic benefits for agricultural communities.

KEY ACTIONS

1. Study the potential for agro-forestry in the region to identify opportunities for integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes for environmental and economic benefits.
2. Implement silvopasture practices: Integrate trees into grazing areas to sequester carbon and enhance soil health.
3. Establish streamside forest buffers: Plant native trees and shrubs along waterways, maintaining at least a 35-ft buffer. These absorb runoff, therefore limiting N₂O emissions, preventing erosion, and providing habitat.
4. Advocate for the continued support of the DCR Agricultural Incentives Program and other state funding for soil and water conservation practices beyond 2025.

Outcomes

This measure focuses on improving soil health and optimizing nutrient use in agriculture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly nitrous oxide (N₂O). By implementing advanced nutrient management practices and supporting soil-building techniques like cover cropping and improved tillage, the measure aims to increase nitrogen use efficiency, minimize excess fertilizer application, and promote sustainable, resilient farming systems. These strategies help lower emissions, enhance soil productivity, and support long-term agricultural and environmental health.

KEY ACTIONS

1. Advocate for the continued support of the DCR Agricultural Incentives Program and other state funding for nutrient management practices beyond 2025.

Outcomes

This measure aims to reduce GHG emissions from livestock operations by improving how manure is handled and by advancing sustainable grazing practices. This measure promotes the adoption of technologies and management approaches such as anaerobic digesters to capture methane, reducing manure storage time, and implementing rotational grazing. These strategies lower emissions of methane and nitrous oxide from manure and pasture systems. By supporting both technological solutions and conservation practices, the measure helps farms generate renewable energy, improve soil and water quality, and build more resilient and sustainable livestock operations.

KEY ACTIONS

1. Increase adoption of anaerobic digesters to capture methane produced during manure storage. Captured methane can be used as biogas to offset energy needs from other energy sources for farm operations.
2. Study the applicability of reduced manure storage time strategies in the MSA climate. There are trade-offs between decreased storage time, which minimizes methane production, and nitrous oxide emissions when manure is spread on soils, but the balance can be favorable in the right conditions.
3. Leverage the Mountains-to-Bay (M2B) Grazing Alliance and continue to advocate for state funding of the Agricultural Incentives Program to support sustainable farming:
   1. Promote rotational grazing and related conservation practices.
   2. Implement forested buffers and livestock stream exclusion.
   3. Provide outreach and technical assistance through farmer-to-farmer mentoring, on-farm demonstrations, and peer-to-peer experiences.
   4. Explore mechanisms to ensure the longevity of the M2B Grazing Alliance.
   Outcomes

   Metric

   Number of methane digesters installed to capture emissions from manure storage

   Acres of cropland converted to rotational grazing through M2B Grazing Alliance