Green Infrastructure at Home
Green infrastructure uses nature-based solutions to reduce storm water runoff, decrease urban heat island effect, beautify the neighborhood, sequester carbon, increase local biodiversity, and improve air, soil, and water quality.
Green Infrastructure Techniques – GrowNYC
Covers various green infrastructure techniques that you can implement at home, such as rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavement, green roofs, downspout planters, tree pits, and rainwater harvesting systems
Permeable driveways – the Landscaping Network
Whereas typical asphalt driveways prevent water from soaking into the ground, permeable driveways allow water to percolate into the soil, thereby reducing flooding, filtering out surface water pollutants, and helping to replenish groundwater resources.
Green Roofs – GrowNYC
A green roof is a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop. A green roofs reduces energy bills, reduces storm water runoff, improves water quality, mitigates urban heat island effect, reduces noise and air pollution, sequesters carbon, and increases biodiversity by providing habitat for wildflife.
How to build a Rain Garden - This Old House
A rain garden is a small depression planted with native plants that can withstand drought and occasional flooding. They are designed to temporarily hold and soak rain water runoff that flows from roofs, driveways, patios, or laws.
Bioswales – GrowNYC
A bioswale achieves that same goal as a rain garden – it is a sloped retention area designed to capture and convey water, but is they are usually deeper than rain gardens and designed to manage a specific amount of runoff from an impervious area, usually along streets or sidewalks.
Rainwater Harvesting
Learn how to build your own rain barrel by visiting our Water Conservation and Preservation page