Green Infrastructure

For much of the last century, stormwater management followed a simple philosophy: collect runoff as quickly as possible and move it downstream through pipes, ditches, culverts, and channels. Success was often measured by how rapidly water could be removed from streets and developed areas. That appro…

Rain gardens are among the most recognizable and effective forms of green infrastructure. Although they often resemble attractive landscaped planting beds, a properly designed rain garden is a carefully engineered stormwater management system. Every component, from the shape of the basin to the soil…

Stormwater management has traditionally focused on one primary goal, moving runoff away from roads, buildings, and neighborhoods as quickly as possible. While this approach successfully reduces flooding, it often leaves behind landscapes dominated by pavement, pipes, and manicured turf that provide …

Floating wetlands are emerging as an innovative and increasingly popular tool for improving water quality in stormwater systems, ponds, and urban waterways. By replicating many of the functions of natural wetlands without requiring extensive excavation or shoreline restoration, these systems offer m…

As communities look for sustainable ways to manage stormwater, bioswales have become one of the most effective and visually appealing tools in the green infrastructure toolbox. They blend natural processes with engineered design to slow, filter, and infiltrate stormwater before it reaches local wate…

Bioswales have become an increasingly common component of modern stormwater management systems. Found along roadways, in parking lots, within subdivisions, and around commercial developments, these vegetated channels are designed to slow runoff, capture sediment and pollutants, promote infiltration,…

Green infrastructure has become one of the most effective approaches for managing stormwater while improving the health and resilience of our communities. Rather than relying solely on traditional "gray" infrastructure such as pipes, culverts, and concrete channels to move stormwater downs…

Vacant lots are often viewed as liabilities. They collect litter, generate complaints, require mowing, and contribute little to the surrounding community. From a stormwater perspective, however, these underutilized parcels represent something else entirely: opportunity. Many vacant lots occupy strat…

Riparian buffers, vegetated zones that line the banks of rivers, streams, wetlands, and lakes, play an essential role in protecting water resources. For communities focused on watershed health, MS4 compliance, or sustainable land management, these buffers offer a natural, cost-effective solution to …