Green Infrastructure
At Downstream Strategies, we integrate natural processes into developed landscapes. Green infrastructure uses vegetation and soil to create stormwater management solutions. Our staff is experienced in all scales of green infrastructure projects, ranging from watershed-scale stream restoration projects to bio-retention rain gardens.
Our green infrastructure specialists work with a wide range of municipal, county, and private sector clients by listening to their priorities, examining them through an environmental lens, and securing funding for planning and implementation.
The community benefits of incorporating green infrastructure include:
- Stormwater management: Green infrastructure helps absorb and filter rainwater, reducing the risk of flooding and improving water quality by removing pollutants before they reach waterbodies.
- Biodiversity conservation: Natural habitats within green infrastructure provide refuge for diverse plant and animal species, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health.
- Climate change mitigation: Vegetation in green infrastructure sequesters carbon and mitigates urban heat island effects.
- Improvement of air quality: Trees and vegetation in green infrastructure absorb pollutants and release oxygen, improving air quality and human health.
- Enhancement of urban aesthetics: Greenspaces contribute to the visual appeal of urban areas, providing recreational opportunities and enhancing residents’ quality of life.
- Economic benefits: Green infrastructure can increase property values, attract tourists, and support local businesses and contractors. It also reduces the costs associated with stormwater management and public health issues related to pollution.
