[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-75px|||” custom_padding=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”671.3px” custom_margin=”-11px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”|||16px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Many cities and counties across Alabama struggle with flooding issues, aging infrastructure, and increased development. These combined pressures are causing some cities to look into alternative stormwater management techniques, including more nature-based stormwater solutions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These nature-based stormwater solutions, also called green infrastructure, are designed to mimic how natural hydrology would once have managed stormwater, by using swales and native vegetation to slow down and hold water so that it can infiltrate into the ground. Examples include bioswales, rain gardens, designed wetlands, tree boxes, and more.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/03\/Blog-Edited-Diagram-3.png” title_text=”Blog Edited Diagram 3″ url=”https:\/\/www.aces.edu\/blog\/topics\/fish-water\/how-to-install-a-rain-garden\/” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Example of a <\/span>road side<\/span> rain garden with native vegetation that captures stormwater runoff from the road. <\/span>Photo <\/span>Credit: Alabama Low Impact Development Handbook<\/a> and ACES<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n When rain falls on parking lots, <\/span>roads<\/span> and sidewalks, it is usually redirected into <\/span>storm drains<\/span>, which then deliver stormwater to a nearby river or stream. Large <\/span>amounts<\/span> of stormwater channeled directly into local waterways can cause flooding and erosion issues. <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/03\/Blog-Edited-Diagram-2.png” title_text=”Blog Edited Diagram 2″ url=”https:\/\/www.aces.edu\/blog\/topics\/fish-water\/how-to-install-a-rain-garden\/” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Stormwater runoff on natural vegetation versus urban impervious surfaces (visualized data from Arnold and Gibbons, 1996). Photo credit: Laura Bell Cooley<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n By <\/span>installing various green infrastructure practices throughout a city, the amount of water being channeled into nearby streams is lessened as stormwater is allowed to slow down, spread out, and sink back into the earth. Despite this, green infrastructure practices are still slowly being adopted in Alabama, due to various barriers and, in part, a lack of education on applicable practices.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”1548.9px” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”3px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/03\/Blog-Edited.png” title_text=”Blog Edited” url=”https:\/\/www.aces.edu\/blog\/topics\/fish-water\/how-to-install-a-rain-garden\/” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Participants at the Nature-Based Stormwater Solutions Workshop in February 2023. Photo credit: Laura Bell Cooley<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n In this workshop, the Auburn University Water Resources Center (AUWRC)<\/a> and the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program<\/a>, with support from Baldwin County, hosted a two-day workshop in which participants learned about green infrastructure case studies from Anthony Kendrick, a stormwater and green infrastructure project manager with the City of New Orleans. New Orleans has a mandate to integrate green infrastructure into new site designs to reduce flooding, providing a range of experience on how to integrate successful green infrastructure practices at large and small scales. Representatives from local and regional government, nonprofits, and state agencies were present at the event.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After exposure to a range of case studies and project funding options, participants put their knowledge to use by exploring two city owned properties in Baldwin County to consider how nature-based stormwater solutions could potentially be applied. Participants walked the sites and examined aerial maps of the locations.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/03\/Blog-Edited3.png” title_text=”Blog Edited3″ url=”https:\/\/www.aces.edu\/blog\/topics\/fish-water\/how-to-install-a-rain-garden\/” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||13px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Participants walked city owned sites to envision alternative stormwater solutions.<\/i><\/b>\u00a0Photo credit: Laura Bell Cooley<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n On day two, participants came together and discussed their impressions of the two sites and developed a series of stormwater priorities for each site based on feasibility and impact.<\/span> Participants worked in teams to develop integrated stormwater plans for each site.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/03\/Blog-Edited5.png” title_text=”Blog Edited5″ url=”https:\/\/www.aces.edu\/blog\/topics\/fish-water\/how-to-install-a-rain-garden\/” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||13px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Participants draw out their vision for integrating nature-based stormwater solutions on practice sites.<\/i><\/b>\u00a0Photo credit: Laura Bell Cooley<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/03\/Blog-Edited6.png” title_text=”Blog Edited6″ url=”https:\/\/www.aces.edu\/blog\/topics\/fish-water\/how-to-install-a-rain-garden\/” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||13px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Workshop participants networked across agencies, and discussed practical barriers and opportunities to nature-based stormwater solutions.<\/i><\/b>\u00a0Photo credit: Ashley Campbell, Baldwin County<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n T<\/span>his workshop <\/span>provided<\/span> both hands on experience and a new knowledge base for participants<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Participants provided feedback on other valuable workshops and educational needs<\/span> so that we can continue to meet the needs of our stakeholders across the state<\/span>.<\/span> The AUWRC looks forward to many more <\/span>similar <\/span>successful educational partnerships<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/auwrc\/” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#3b5998″ global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”twitter” url=”https:\/\/twitter.com\/AuburnWater” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#00aced” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]twitter[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/auburnwater\/” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ea2c59″ global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][\/et_pb_social_media_follow][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AUWRC & MOBILE BAY NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM HOST NATURE-BASED STORMWATER SOLUTIONS WORKSHOP Written by Laura Bell Cooley Many cities and counties across Alabama struggle with flooding issues, aging infrastructure, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111,155],"tags":[117,24,130,131,25,101,20,46,59,132],"class_list":["post-9974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-outreach","category-wrc-blog","tag-environmental-education","tag-fish-water","tag-green-infrastructure","tag-lid","tag-natural-resources","tag-outreach","tag-stormwater","tag-water-quality","tag-watershed-education","tag-watershed-stewardship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9974"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9974\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9997,"href":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9974\/revisions\/9997"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}