GEM Corps & Public Works: What is Green Infrastructure?

Recently, our GEM Corps crew has been collaborating with City of Prescott Public Works on a variety of community-based projects. Over the past few weeks, we have highlighted aspects of this work through a blog series. These posts have covered topics including Public Works, Green Infrastructure, and more.

What is Green infrastructure, you ask? Green infrastructures (GI) are portions of public property that use permeable soil, pavement, and other systems to absorb water as it flows through urban environments. This GI system does various things that support urban growth in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. 

First, by removing additional contents from the water, which could be anything from E. coli to nitrogen, the infrastructure protects the local watershed’s ecosystem and public health. Second, GIs slow down the flow of water and encourage plants to grow in urban environments. Protecting the local watershed, supporting public health through GI, and promoting plant growth in urban settings are all important aspects of the projects GEM Corps and Public Works are collaborating on. 

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