Native Landscape and Green Infrastructure Design for Stormwater
Gain an understanding of how to analyze, design, implement and manage effective and innovative stormwater management systems using native landscape for a variety of sites – large, small, rural and urban.
Learn about how a thorough site analysis of soils, terrain and hydrology can influence the design approach using native and naturalized plant selections. Several case studies of built projects are presented – giving you firsthand knowledge of how to approach site design, plant selection, construction and maintenance.
This course can be applied to the Water Technology Certificate.
Instructor
Tom Mortensen has more than 30 years of experience in landscape architecture and related design, planning and construction professions. Tom’s experience includes expertise in the areas of site planning, urban redevelopment, park and public open space design, memorials and public ... read more
Who Should Attend
- Landscape architects, designers, planners, engineers, scientists, architects and contractors involved in the design of stormwater management systems.
- Government agency and municipal employees responsible for overseeing and reviewing these types of systems.
- NGOs involved in helping to educate landowners about rain gardens and native plantings.
- Traditional landscape contractors who would like to incorporate the use of more native landscape in their projects.
- Nonlandscapers who would like to learn more about plant selection and identification for constructed wetlands, buffers and stormwater ponds.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
- Incorporate native and naturalized plants into the stormwater design for ecological benefit and potential cost savings.
- Evaluate plans and specifications and understand both pitfalls and successes of projects.
- Understand how to use native plants in a realistic way to maximize benefits.
Course Outline/Topics
This one-day course covers:
• When and why a native landscape approach is the right choice.
• Stormwater regulatory background and updates.
• How to plan for a naturalized green infrastructure project.
• Some techniques to reduce and slow runoff – preserving natural areas, reducing land disturbance, slowing down runoff and minimizing impervious surfaces, where practical.
• The basics of plant selection for bio-infiltration (rain gardens and bio-swales) to help reduce flooding, improve water quality, stabilize flow rates and prevent erosion.
• The use of buffers, filter strips and/or level spreaders and how to enhance their performance.
• Proper design and installation techniques using native and naturalized landscape and green infrastructure.
• GI inspection and maintenance, including staffing and training considerations.
• The “whys and hows” of public outreach and education for naturalized stormwater systems.
Dates and locations to be announced.