What is Green Infrastructure?
In 2019, Congress enacted the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, which defines green infrastructure as : Green infrastructure refers to a network of natural and engineered systems that work harmoniously to manage water, improve air quality, enhance biodiversity, and foster sustainable communities. It encompasses a range of practices such as permeable pavements, rain gardens, green roofs, urban forests, and stormwater harvesting that leverage natural processes to mitigate environmental impacts. By mimicking the functions of natural ecosystems, green infrastructure helps capture, store, filter, and infiltrate water where it falls, reducing the strain on built infrastructure, such as storm drains and wastewater treatment facilities.
Why is Green Infrastructure Important?
Stormwater runoff carries trash, bacteria, heavy metals, and other pollutants from urban landscapes. Higher flows resulting from heavy rains also can cause erosion and flooding in urban streams, damaging habitat, property, and infrastructure. When rain falls in natural, undeveloped areas, the water is absorbed and filtered by soil and plants.Green infrastructure Design uses vegetation, soils, and other elements and practices to restore some of the natural processes required to manage water and create healthier urban environments. At the city or county scale, green infrastructure is a patchwork of natural areas that provides habitat, flood protection, cleaner air, and cleaner water. At the neighborhood or site scale, stormwater management systems that mimic nature soak up and store water.
Grey vs. Green Infrastructure
Traditional “grey” infrastructure (e.g., stormwater pipes, sewage systems) is expensive to install, maintain, and upgrade. Green infrastructure provides cost-effective solutions by reducing the need for new pipes, wastewater plants, and other expensive infrastructure. Additionally, it enhances property values, attracts investments, and can be eligible for government grants and rebates. Green infrastructure Design uses vegetation, soils, and other elements and practices to restore some of the natural processes required to manage water and create healthier urban environments. At the city or county scale, green infrastructure is a patchwork of natural areas that provides habitat, flood protection, cleaner air, and cleaner water. At the neighborhood or site scale, stormwater management systems that mimic nature soak up and store water.While gray stormwater infrastructure is designed to move urban stormwater, green infrastructure design reduces and treats stormwater at its source while delivering environmental, social, and economic benefits. Stormwater runoff is a major cause of pollution in urban areas. When rain falls on our roofs, streets, and parking lots the water cannot soak into the ground as it should.
Climate Resilience
As climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events, including storms, floods, and heatwaves, green infrastructure helps communities adapt. It absorbs heat, reducing urban heat islands, and provides natural cooling, which lowers energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, The CAL FIRE Forest Health Research Program supports scientific studies that provide critical information and tools to forest landowners, resource agencies, fire management organizations and policy makers across California on a variety of topics related to forest health and management. The Forest Health Research Program is funded through the California Climate Investments program (Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund) and managed by the Fire and Resource Assessment Program at CAL FIRE. Additional opportunities for research funding are available through other CAL FIRE programs.
Ecological and Social Benefits
Green infrastructure promotes biodiversity by creating green spaces that serve as habitats for plants, birds, and insects. It also enhances public health and well-being by improving air quality, reducing noise pollution, and providing urban green spaces for recreation and social engagement. We call these areas Nature Ground. Nature Ground is the little areas between our daily lives that could be improved to provide more ecosystem services to ourselves, our community, and our natural environment. Small little projects are just as important as large projects. We look at nature in an urban landscape as islands of natural habitat. Your yard may be a small project, your next-door neighbor’s yard may be a small project, but together these projects create a more ecofriendly habitat that could reduce water use, minimize pollution, and limit wildfires. Larger projects, such as a new development, a community park renovation, a waterway improvement, or improvements on a public works easement all provide opportunities to improve Nature Ground. Improving your home or business could be funded under new grants and rebates.
Community Engagement and Sustainability:
Green infrastructure encourages public involvement in environmental stewardship by fostering a sense of community responsibility and engagement with the natural world. Programs such as rain garden installations, urban tree planting, and green roof initiatives not only enhance the urban landscape but also provide opportunities for individuals to take direct action in creating greener, healthier environments. These initiatives bring people together, whether through community workshops, volunteer efforts, or educational campaigns, to actively participate in building resilient, sustainable cities.
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It's Easy 2B Green!

Explore Our Services

GIS Data Preparation

Many cities rely on outdated infrastructure data that can lead to inefficiencies and errors. GID begins each project by reviewing and converting existing GIS data, CAD drawings, and as-built plans into a modern Web GIS platform using ESRI Solutions developed by our Green Team.

Field Audits Using GPS

Our team conduct Field Audits, utilizing high-resolution GPS units and drone technology to capture accuratekey infrastructure components. This includes mapping water valves, hydrants, stormwater systems, manholes, and other assets to verify their locations and conditions.

Green Infrastructure Design

Once the infrastructure is accurately mapped our team works closely with landscape architects to design and implement Green Infrastructure. We leverage our Field Audits and GIS expertise to identify strategic areas where GI can enhance ecosystem services.

Why Choose GID for Your Green Infrastructure Needs? It's Easy 2B Green!

  • Experience and Expertise: With over 20 years of experience, GID has mapped over 60,000 water assets and 20,000 wastewater assets, and has completed more than 1,000 high-quality mapping projects.
  • Comprehensive Solutions: We offer a full suite of services, from initial GIS conversion to long-term monitoring and maintenance. Our solutions are designed to create long-lasting benefits for cities and their residents.
  • Grant Writing Support: Securing funding for green infrastructure projects can be challenging. GID offers grant writing services to help cities apply for and obtain grants that can fund their green infrastructure initiatives. Our team has successfully acquired funding for numerous projects, making us a valuable partner in helping cities build resilient, sustainable communities.

60,000

Water Assets Mapped

20,000

Wastewater Assets Mapped

1,000

Quality Maps Published

20

Years in Business

Field Audits for GIS

Our team of experts have developed a cost-effective approach to updating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

Field Audits take your GIS into the field to ensure what’s in the ground is in the computer. Field verification can be done in the field with mobile maps and apps.

Connecting the field and office with Web GIS.

Project Development

The use of GIS has drastically grown and helped enhance business practices over the last twenty years. Companies, as well as government agencies, have started to realize the benefits of GIS and are using it in their day-to-day operations.

Our Green Team provides is alliance of leading environmental firms and construction companies to design, built and maintain green infrastructure in the public and private sectors.

Our Services

We provide various services by qualified experts.

GIS Mapping

Our company recognizes the importance of maintaining mapping data and how an accessible system can be utilized to clearly define and achieve project goals.

Green Design

Our team of experts is committed to enhancing Nature Ground, the small spaces in our daily lives that can be optimized to deliver greater ecosystem services.

GPS Audits

Field Audits ensure that your GIS data aligns with field conditions, and vice versa. After a project is completed, clients gain from enhanced GIS systems.

Since 2002, our team has conducted GIS Field Audits for Stormwater, Water and Wastewater Systems.

Today, we use this knowledge to find Green Infrastructure Projects in your community. It's Easy 2B Green! #GreenTeam


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Green Infrastructure Design