Green infrastructure is a connective network of features building on each other to provide essential ecosystem services to the communities it serves. Green infrastructure is composed of the following main features:
Natural Features:
Trees
A core green infrastructure feature of “green” infrastructure is the green stuff you see outside of your window. Trees, shrubs, and leafy vegetation provides a number of environmental benefits, including reducing ambient levels of carbon dioxide, creating wildlife habitat, slowing and filtering stormwater runoff, providing shade, and increasing water infiltration. Trees naturally store and direct water into the soil through their trunks and roots and transpire water back into the atmosphere, relieving some of the pressure on traditional stormwater management systems. Trees also moderate temperatures and save energy. Trees as part of a green infrastructure system are a key element to all scales.
Open & Green Spaces
- Agricultural Lands
- Grasslands
- Parks & Greenways
Blue Features
- Wetlands
- Floodplains
- Beaches
Engineered & Built Features:
Bioretention & Infiltration
Green infrastructure is an approach that communities can use to maintain healthy waters. Green infrastructure addresses several different water issues including stormwater management, flooding mitigation, and improving water quality and supply. There are many different green infrastructure techniques that communities and regions can use to facilitate their stormwater maintenance, water quality and runoff issues.
- Bioswales
- Rain gardens
- Rain barrels
- Permeable pavement
- Constructed wetlands
Green Roofs
Green Roofs are an integral solution to the stormwater management and energy reduction (thru climate control), in addition to increasing natural habitat and agricultural space in an otherwise urban locations
Urban gardens
Each of these green infrastructure features provides a distinct environmental, economic and/or community benefit.