GEM Corps & Public Works: a collaborative effort to support green infrastructure in Prescott

Over the past few weeks, GEM Corps has partnered with Public Works on a series of projects addressing the green infrastructures (GIs) in Prescott. Both Public Works and GIs support urban growth with an ecological approach. 

The projects GEM Corps has worked on in collaboration with Public Works have addressed three issues, two of which are primary purposes of GIs. First, the projects address the need to evaluate different GIs’ landscape and moisture levels in Prescott. This process contributes to identifying places where the GEM Corps Crew can plant seeds. If these seeds sprout, they will positively contribute to the amount of water, E. Coli, and nutrients absorbed into the soil. Additionally, these seeds will increase the biodiversity of the GI.

Another aspect of the projects has been creating erosion control features in the Acker Detention Basin, located in Acker Park. These erosion control features consist of one-rock dams and medialunas, which slow down water flow and encourage sedimentation. 

The final issue addressed by these projects is the removal of Siberian Elms in the GIs as a part of an ongoing effort to eradicate this invasive species from the Southwest USA. 

Each of these projects is a part of an ongoing effort to ensure the water quality of Prescott’s waterways does not have a substantial impact on the public at large. Stay tuned for updates in the upcoming weeks, as our team will be sharing more about these projects, GIs, and Public Works on both our blog and social media. 

If you are interested in learning more about these efforts on a local and national level, visit these resources for more information:

• Rainwater Harvesting:
  https://www.prescott-az.gov/water-sewer/water-conservation/rainwater-harvesting/
  
• General Green Infrastructure Information:
  https://watershedmg.org/learn/resource-library?field_resources_tid%5B%5D=5
  
• COP Water Conservation Rebate Program:
  https://www.prescott-az.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Homeowners-Guide_Final_LMH-8-19-19.pdf
  
• COP Rainwater Harvesting Installation Guide:
  https://www.prescott-az.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Homeowners-Guide_Final_LMH-8-19-19.pdf