July Green Infrastructure Workshops - Registration Open!

EPA will be hosting green infrastructure workshops at the following locations over the next few weeks.

These workshops will focus on how wet weather programs can be effectively managed using green infrastructure technologies and approaches. Space is still available in each workshop. Information about the workshops, including agendas and registration, is available at EPA 

• Locations - Ft. Myers, Florida (July 1-2), Hartford, Connecticut (July 8-9), Charleston, West Virginia (July 21-22)

Green Infrastructure Webcast June 23, 2009 on Funding/Incentives and Brownfield Redevelopment

This fifth webcast in the green infrastructure webcast series will be held June 23 from 1:00 to 3:00 EDT and feature Abby Hall from EPA discussing "Funding & Incentives" and Stacy Swartwood from EPA discussing "Brownfields Redevelopment." The "Funding & Incentives" portion will include summaries of local incentives that communities have used to encourage the use of green infrastructure approaches. An overview of how many communities have funded green infrastructure will be discussed. The second portion of the webcast will cover design considerations and appropriate best management practices for stormwater management on brownfields. This webcast will discuss how green infrastructure practices can retain, treat and then release stormwater without it ever coming into contact with contaminated or compacted soils. Register at: EPA

About Green Infrastructure: is an approach to wet weather management that is cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Green Infrastructure management approaches and technologies infiltrate, evapotranspire, capture and reuse stormwater to maintain or restore natural hydrologies. See EPA examples of green infrastructure and design approaches.

At the largest scale, the preservation and restoration of natural landscape features (such as forests, floodplains and wetlands) are critical components of green stormwater infrastructure. By protecting these ecologically sensitive areas, communities can improve water quality while providing wildlife habitat and opportunities for outdoor recreation.

On a smaller scale, green infrastructure practices include rain gardens, porous pavements, green roofs, infiltration planters, trees and tree boxes, and rainwater harvesting for non-potable uses such as toilet flushing and landscape irrigation.

• Green Jobs Training: Opportunities for Green Infrastructure Technologies (PDF)
• 2009 Green Infrastructure Webcast Schedule
• Green Roofs and Green Jobs Video

 

How Does Green Infrastructure Benefit the Environment?

Green Infrastructure is associated with a variety of environmental, economic, and human health benefits, many of which go hand-in-hand with one another. The benefits of green infrastructure are particularly accentuated in urban and suburban areas where green space is limited and environmental damage is more extensive. Green infrastructure benefits include:

• Reduced and Delayed Stormwater Runoff Volumes
• Enhanced Groundwater Recharge
• Stormwater Pollutant Reductions
• Reduced Sewer Overflow Events
• Increased Carbon Sequestration
• Urban Heat Island Mitigation and Reduced Energy Demands
• Improved Air Quality
• Additional Wildlife Habitat and Recreational Space
• Improved Human Health
• Increased Land Values