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Green Infrastructure

Conservation and Low Impact Development

Low-impact development (LID) is a land management and planning strategy that encourages on-site water conservation to capture and treat stormwater and reduce water use. “LID is a planning or design approach to development intended to reduce runoff by enhancing infiltration, thereby retaining or restoring natural hydrological characteristics” ​(USGS, Zarriello 2010).

Most backyards and open spaces are suitable for LID designs- site planning and sustainable maintenance methods are key to capturing rainfall and reducing outdoor water demands. Planting design and site placement are two key aspects in making a low-impact development both functional and appealing to homeowners.

Water conservation is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound way to reduce our demand for water. There are many approaches to reducing water use. For example, see the Ipswich River case study here.
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​Outdoor water use accounts for up to 50% of water consumed by an average household, but with a few changes property owners can reduce or eliminate external water use and save money doing it.  For example:
  • Water your lawn at dawn or dusk, when more water soaks in than if you water in the hottest parts of the day.
  • Plant native flowers and shrubs in your garden and seed your lawn with drought tolerant turf grass.
  • Retain moisture in your lawn and garden by using compost in new soil and mulching around your plants.
  • Install rain water barrels under the roof gutter drains and use this rain water to water your plants.
  • Reduce lawn size- less lawn means less watering and less mowing. Install other garden beds or trees in its place.
  • Adjust your mower to a higher setting leave grass clippings and chopped-up fall leaves on the lawn to increase soil organic material.
  • Transform part of your lawn into a meadow, which will also serve as beneficial wildlife habitat.
  • Use porous hardscapes on paths and patios to allow rain water to pass into the soil.
  • Water lawn less to increase plants’ tolerance to drought.
  • Make a rain garden to hold more water on the site.
Green Infrastructure projects (click here)
Picture

Poster File

2016.06.30_posters.pdf
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Brochure File

2016.07.22_brochure_with_bookmark__final_.pdf
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Bookmark File

2016.07.22_bookmark.pdf
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