What is Green Infrastructure?
Green infrastructure (GI) uses plants, soils, and other elements to manage water quality and mimic the natural water cycle by capturing rainwater. Green infrastructure projects act as sustainable systems that retain, detain, filter, harvest, infiltrate, and/or evapotranspirate stormwater runoff to create healthier urban environments. Examples of green infrastructure include stormwater planters or bioretention areas, infiltration systems, permeable pavement, green roofs, green walls, green gutters, and stormwater trees.
Green infrastructure provides many benefits such as improving water quality by removing trash and pollutants, reversing urbanization on local creeks and waterways, decreasing the chance of localized flooding, biodiversity and habitat preservation for native plants and animals, traffic calming, and overall enhancement of neighborhood aesthetics.
Helpful Resources
Green Infrastructure Plan
Existing Green Infrastructure Projects
Potential Green Infrastructure Projects