Changing weather patterns in Illinois are causing increased precipitation, leading to flooded streets, water in basements, and other challenges for cities. Many communities are turning to green infrastructure as part of their solution, which can serve to stop local flooding and provide green space and jobs for marginalized communities. In 2019-20, the North Central Regional Water Network’s green infrastructure team conducted a study to see if and how green infrastructure and social justice programs were being connected in Midwestern communities. Green infrastructure practices use plants, permeable surfaces, and landscaping to store, filter, and reduce stormwater flow to sewer systems or to surface waters. Some communities are coupling the two, but most currently think of green infrastructure only as a stormwater management tool. University of Illinois Extension continues to serve as an educational resource for communities that are interested in using green infrastructure to address stormwater management challenges.
More information is available at northcentralwater.org/recently-released-whitepaper-outlines-recommendations-andbarriers-for-equitable-and-just-green-infrastructure-projects/.
