IMPROVING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT: Each rain garden is a single step that we can take
Jay Bradley (120p)
In the words of Lao-Tsu, 'A journey of a thousand miles begins a single step.' Each rain garden is a single step that we can take.
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Site
Rainwater Management: Practical alternatives to paving at Nanaimo’s Regional Pollution Control Centre
Paved surfaces present rainwater management challenges, especially when adjacent to fish-bearing streams. The driveway and parking lot at the Regional District of Naniamo’s Water Pollution Control Centre represent a practical response to these issues.
Unique Partnership Creates Community Rain Garden at Cougar Canyon Elementary School in Delta, BC
When the Corporation of Delta hosted the first event in “Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation in Metro Vancouver: The 2007 Series”, those who attended were impressed by what has been accomplished at Cougar Canyon Elementary School. A unique partnership has established a template for involving the municipality, schools and a neighbourhood in creating community rain gardens to protect the health of downstream creeks.
Absorbent Soil for Rainwater Management – Lessons Learned in the City of Courtenay
The City of Courtenay was the first BC municipality to adopt a policy requiring developers to provide a minimum soil depth on building sites as a rainwater management tool.
Rainwater management innovation in the Comox Valley: first Wal-Mart, then Home Depot
The Wal-Mart development in the City of Courtenay precipitated the beginning of a major change in how the City administers the zoning/development/approval process, collaborates with other agencies and also manages the rainwater resource.
Inland Kenworth industrial site in the City of Nanaimo establishes ‘design with nature’ precedent
From a City of Nanaimo perspective, the Inland Kenworth industrial development is a milestone project because it represents the turning of the tide in the way land is being developed in the City. Furthermore, the raised expectations have changed the nature of consulting in Nanaimo by stimulating green infrastructure innovation.
City of Nanaimo Industrial Development Demonstrates ‘Design with Nature’ Solution
Completed in 2006, the award-winning Kenworth Inland project in the City of Nanaimo applied a unique approach to site development that combined function and design in first capturing and then absorbing rainwater on-site. The project won a City environmental award and is currently a candidate for a design award.
Courtenay is the first BC municipality to implement a ‘Soil Depth Policy’ for rainwater management
Courtenay was the first British Columbia municipality to implement a policy requiring a minimum soil depth on development sites for reduction of rainwater runoff volume. “Because the City places importance on the soil sponge as a rainwater management tool, we are currently exploring options to ensure that developers and house builders fulfil their obligations to provide and preserve the minimum required depth,” stated Sandy Pridmore.
Vancouver’s Country Lanes Demonstration Project
During the summer of 2003, the City of Vancouver constructed three “Country Lanes” as part of a demonstration project to evaluate more sustainable alternatives to regular lane paving.
Reducing Negative Affects of Urban Development will be the focus of Cochrane Low Impact Development Conference
“LID is a practical and cost-effective approach to reducing and/or better managing the impacts of urbanization on our landscape in order to leave a better place for our children and grandchildren,” stated Bert van Duin. “The urban environments that we can build for them using LID will be healthier, more sustainable and use less natural resources then the ones we grew up in. “