Green infrastructure solutions to water management

Green infrastructure is a method of stormwater management to divert and reduce runoff, often by replacing impervious surfaces with natural soils and vegetation. Rainwater harvesting, permeable pavements, green roofs, urban tree canopies, rain gardens and bioswales and wetland restoration divert and filter stormwater locally, helping to prevent flooding and pollution.

Increases in the frequency and intensity of precipitation will only increase the risks and costs associated with stormwater management. Across the continental United States, regions are experiencing a higher incidence of extreme precipitation and communities are struggling to respond and prepare.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the National Stormwater Calculator to help people plan development by estimating runoff reduction for various scenarios. Users can determine how to meet a desired stormwater retention target with and without the use of green infrastructure.

Additional Resources

Green Infrastructure, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Federal Emergency Management Agency

International Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Database

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification Program, U.S. Green Building Council

Natural Infrastructure, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Resources for planning and implementing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, AAAS EPI Center

Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative, U.S. EPA

Last updated April 20, 2023

Regional Reflections on Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions: Northwest

10/12/2022 2:00pm - 10/12/2022 3:30pm

The AAAS EPI Center, U.S. EPA Office of Water, and the White House hosted a webinar on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in the Northwest. This webinar was part of a series of regionally-based webinars exploring green infrastructure around the United States.

Regional Reflections on Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions: Southwest

9/1/2022 1:00pm - 9/1/2022 2:30pm

The AAAS EPI Center, U.S. EPA Office of Water, and the White House hosted a webinar on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in the Southwest. This webinar was part of a series of regionally-based webinars exploring green infrastructure around the United States.

Regional Reflections on Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions: Great Lakes

7/27/2022 1:00pm - 7/27/2022 2:30pm

The AAAS EPI Center, U.S. EPA Office of Water, and the White House hosted a webinar on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in the Great Lakes. This webinar is part of a series of regionally-based webinars exploring green infrastructure around the United States.

Regional Reflections on Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions: Gulf Coast and Southeast

6/23/2022 2:00pm - 6/23/2022 3:30pm

The AAAS EPI Center, U.S. EPA Office of Water, and the White House invite you to join a webinar on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in the Gulf Coast and Southeast. This webinar is part of a series of regionally-based webinars exploring green infrastructure around the United States.

Swan Island- Engineering with Nature (Photos courtesy of NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science)

Regional Reflections on Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions: Mid-Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay

5/23/2022 3:00pm - 5/23/2022 4:30pm

The AAAS EPI Center, U.S. EPA Office of Water, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality hosted a webinar on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in the Mid-Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay. This webinar is part of a series of regionally-based webinars exploring green infrastructure around the United States.

Barriers to Equitable Implementation of Green and Nature-Based Solutions: Part 1 with NGO and Community Panel

3/3/2022 1:00pm - 3/3/2022 3:00pm

The AAAS EPI Center and U.S. EPA Office of Water hosted a panelist conversation featuring representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and communities working on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.

Barriers to Equitable Implementation of Green and Nature-Based Solutions: Part 2 with States and Municipalities Panel

3/29/2022 1:00pm - 3/29/2022 2:30pm

The AAAS EPI Center, ECOS, U.S. EPA Office of Water hosted a panelist conversation featuring representatives from state agencies working on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.

A water-capture wetland at the Center for Sustainable Landscape (CSL) at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden in Pittsburgh, PA. The CSL building generates all of its own energy and treats all stormwater and sanitary water captured on-site. Photo by Jamie Piziali, EPA

Key Takeaways from the AAAS EPI Center Federal Convening on Green and Nature-based Infrastructure

On November 9 & 10, 2021, the EPI Center hosted a convening for federal employees and contractors working on green and nature-based infrastructure projects, policy, programs, and research.

Aerial view of completed Fog Point Living Shoreline restoration at Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge

Green and Nature-Based Infrastructure Solutions for New England

10/27/2021 11:00am - 10/27/2021 1:00pm

The AAAS EPI Center hosted a webinar examining green and nature-based infrastructure solutions for the New England region and compiled resources for planning and implementing green and nature-based infrastructure.

Video: Deploying Data-Driven Green Stormwater Infrastructure Programs

August 20, 2020

Insights from green stormwater infrastructure leaders and practitioners in Tucson, New Orleans, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia on WaterNow’s recent webinar with the AAAS EPI Center provided practical and inspirational ways other cities and stormwater managers can navigate data and implementation challenges.