Trees: Nature-based Solutions to Improve our Health and the Environment

Many discussions about green infrastructure revolve around stormwater management: green and built solutions/processes to reduce flows to sewer systems or surface water through interception, storage, infiltration, or evaporation. But the term green infrastructure can be applied more broadly, to include multiple needs in our communities and benefiting all residents.

"Green infrastructure is the interconnected natural systems and ecological processes that provide clean water, air quality and wildlife habitat. Green infrastructure sustains a community’s social, economic, and environmental health." - Green Infrastructure Center

Green infrastructure not only supports the physical processes and systems around us, but it also sustains us. Mental well-being, physical health, recovery, exercise, social interaction, community identity, volunteerism, and engagement – living in green infrastructure brings us out into our communities.