Low Impact Development
Low impact development (LID) is an environmentally sensitive approach to developing land and managing stormwater runoff. Many areas, including Washington County Conservation District and the Valley Branch Watershed District are encouraging home owners and builders to turn to LID techniques to help protect the water quality and natural resources.
This is the perfect time to think about it, since there is $$$$$ available for homeowners through your local water shed district!!! See LowImpactDevelopment.org
Rain gardens… a small project with big implications
A rain garden is a beautiful garden that collects rain water and slows down runoff, avoiding erosion and helping conserve water quality. The best plants for rain gardens are native species, grasses and wildflowers that are deeply rooted.
We are proud to say that we were involved in the installation of one the first rain gardens of Minnesota at Swede Hollow in St. Paul. A working and well-engineered rain garden is NOT a mosquito infested hole!
Some areas offer incentives to home owners for building a rain garden. Check your local Watershed District to inquire.
Washington County Water Shed District
Valley Branch Water Shed District
Water Quality
Cost-Share Grants
Benefits of a rain garden:
- Increases the amount of water that filters into the ground, which recharges local and regional aquifers
- Helps protect communities from flooding and drainage problems
- Helps protect streams and lakes from pollutants carried by urban stormwater – lawn fertilizers and pesticides, oil and other fluids that leak from cars, and numerous harmful substances that wash off roofs and paved areas
- Enhances the beauty of yards and neighborhoods
- Provides valuable habitat for birds, butterflies and many beneficial insects
- Helps with soil erosion control, minimizing the runoff through a hill
- Innovative applications: Uses innovative methods or techniques to study processes, acquire data, or implement conservation practices
- Collaboration: Involves more than one land owner or occupant and results in greater resource protection because of this collaboration
Leave us a Review on Google
