Stormwater management is one of the most pressing issues for resource managers in the cold climate of the Lake Champlain basin. Runoff from developed lands can carry pollutants to our waterways and impact the health of aquatic ecosystems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Green infrastructure (GI), which includes green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), is a cost-effective and resilient approach to managing stormwater impacts while also providing many co-benefits to communities. Green infrastructure uses nature-based solutions such as vegetation, soils, and other elements and practices to restore some of the natural processes required to manage water and create healthier human environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Examples of GI include: rain gardens, rain barrels, vegetated swales or channels, permeable pavement, berms or steps of stone for infiltration, vegetated riparian buffers, bioretention ponds, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lake Champlain Sea Grant is a leader in green infrastructure research and outreach throughout the Lake Champlain basin. Research supported by Lake Champlain Sea Grant<\/a> led to data-driven updates to the Vermont Stormwater Management Manual <\/a>in which green infrastructure practices are featured as preferred methods for managing runoff from developed lands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lake Champlain Sea Grant also worked with partners to create a Bioretention and Gravel Wetland Soil Media Testing Guidance document<\/a>. This resource presents research-based recommendations for bioretention and gravel wetland projects for designers and contractors. It includes soil media specifications and required soil testing for phosphorus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\u00a0Green Infrastructure Collaborative<\/strong>, a partnership between Lake Champlain Sea Grant\u00a0and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation\u00a0combines efforts to bridge the gap among research, extension, and application of Green Stormwater Infrastructure\u00a0and natural asset management in Vermont. The Collaborative leads a statewide\u00a0Green Infrastructure Roundtable<\/strong>.<\/a> Professionals from design consulting firms, non-profit organizations, state agencies, municipalities, and academia gather to discuss persistent stormwater management concerns and new green infrastructure methods to address them. Communication via a listserv\u00a0educates and informs hundreds of professionals\u00a0about the newest information on GSI practice and performance to improve water quality.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n An Advisory Committee guides the activities of the Green Infrastructure Roundtable. The committee consists of representatives who work in this space and hold positions in research, environmental consulting, engineering, municipalities, and with the Department of Environmental Conservation. The GI Roundtable strategic plan was updated in fall 2021 (PDF)<\/a>. Please reach out to the Green Infrastructure Collaborative Coordinator, Jill Sarazen (jillian.sarazen@uvm.edu<\/a>), for more information or to join the mailing list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tour green stormwater infrastructure by bike, on foot, or from your desk! Lake Champlain Sea Grant has produced bike and walking tour maps of green stormwater infrastructure<\/a> in four Vermont cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\nProfessional Networking & Outreach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What You Can Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Self-Guided Tours of Green Infrastructure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How-To Guides and Resources to Explore<\/h3>\n\n\n\n