Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure refers to an interconnected network of natural features (vegetation, parks, wetlands, etc.) that provide beneficial “ecosystem services” for human populations. The benefits can include functions such as pollution removal, carbon sequestration and groundwater recharge. Low impact development and green infrastructure are often used interchangeably because the terms overlap, but it should be noted that LID focuses specifically on water management issues, while green infrastructure’s scope can be broader. Green infrastructure is often used to refer to networks of parks and open lands that preserve habitats and ecosystem functions (usually created or protected by managing land uses), but the term can also encompass small-scale natural features such as trees planted along a city sidewalk. While green infrastructure is often used for water management purposes, it can also be used to tackle other issues such as air pollution, urban heat island effects, wildlife conservation and recreational needs.

Common LID Best Management Practices

A best management practice (BMP) is a device or technique used to remove or reduce pollutants found in stormwater runoff, preventing the contamination of receiving waters. It is important to note that LID primarily employs natural structural best management practices, such as vegetated swales, retention ponds and green roofs, not mechanical best management practices, such as water treatment facilities and manufactured filtration units.

Some Common LID Best Management Practices