The Green Neighbor Guide

While there are myriad ways to be a Green Neighbor—some actions can be as simple as not over-fertilizing your lawn and garden, washing and maintaining your vehicles properly, or planting a native tree—this guide focuses on stormwater management projects that you can build or install on your property.

In this guide, you will learn how to stop sending stormwater directly into the sewer by disconnecting the downspouts; how to install rain barrels or cisterns to capture stormwater for reuse; how to install dry wells and rain gardens to allow stormwater to filter into the ground; and how to replace asphalt and concrete surfaces with permeable paving to reduce stormwater runoff. These projects are sometimes referred to as Best Management Practices or Green Infrastructure.