By E. Gallagher
Last updated August 2024
Have you ever heard of green infrastructure? It’s simpler than it might seem! When people use their natural resources, like rain and sunshine, to make their environment healthier and more enjoyable, that’s green infrastructure.
Let’s look at two way you can incorporate green infrastructure in your own space.
Rain Gardens
Rain Gardens are built to allow rainwater to flow into your garden and stay there, putting free water to good use! During a storm, rain gardens can also reduce street flooding since the water will pool up in the garden.
How do rain gardens help the environment? When rain falls on a roof, rolls down your driveway, or flows down the street, it collects dirt, trash, oil, grease, pet waste, chemicals, and any other pollutants along the way. This polluted water then makes its way into a storm drain. Did you know your storm drains go directly to our waterways and the Chesapeake Bay?
Rain gardens not only reduce the amount of water flowing down our streets, they also give the water they collect more time to filter out hazardous molecules before seeping into our waterways. When water impacted by rain gardens eventually flows into our rivers and oceans, there will be fewer pollutants.
Whether you consider a formal rain garden, with specially designed technology, or an informal rain garden, which is easier to construct at your home, the environment will thank you! Not only do gardens help to prevent flooding, but using native plants will help support your local habitat and create a beautiful area for you and others to enjoy.
If you’re curious to learn more about starting a rain garden project at your home or in your community, visit this site from the Norfolk Office of Resilience.
Let’s look at another example of a green infrastructure system you could use at home.
Rain Barrels
Rain barrels, like rain gardens, allow you to collect rainwater and use it for other things. Using the gutter on your home, the barrel filters out debris and gathers the water inside. Alternatively, you can easily place a large container, bucket, or can outside during a rainstorm to collect water (just be sure to use it before the mosquitos get to it!).
Not only do rain barrels reduce polluted water in our waterways, but they can also help you save money on your water bills. When you water your plants and garden at home, you can use this rainwater instead of using a hose or tap. You can also use the water to clean your driveway, patio, or your muddy shoes before you head back inside! You can use collected rainwater for many tasks, but it cannot replace safe, drinkable (potable) water.
Consider these two ways in which you could be mindful of your environment and help reduce pollution in our ecosystem. Save money by collecting rainwater for outdoor uses or spend the day with your friends and family planning and designing a garden for your home. Beautifying your home and community makes spending time outside more enjoyable and will support environmental conservation in your local area.
Curious about green infrastructure here in Norfolk?
- Visit the Ryan Resilience Lab website by clicking here for images and examples of how they created a green eco-building that supports our community and our waterways.
- See a rain garden in action at the Virginia Zoo on Granby Street
- Check out the living Green Roof of the Hampton Roads Transit building on 18th Street (see it on Google/Apple Maps satellite!).
- Living shorelines are installed around Norfolk to support marine organisms and the prevention of erosion. Visit the Larchmont Library, the Virginia Zoo, Hermitage Museum, and the Haven Creek Shoreline.
Want to learn more?
Click here to learn more about rain barrels and other sustainable projects with the Norfolk Office of Resilience.
Click here to learn about green infrastructure around Hampton Roads.
Click here to read the Home Planting Guide for Native Species from the Elizabeth River Project.
Click here to read more about green infrastructure history and research.
