NEW ORLEANS — The Urban Conservancy is releasing new survey findings at an online briefing at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11. The nonprofit said the results show that homeowners can significantly reduce flooding on their properties, reduce runoff to catch basins, and reduce the impacts of extreme heat and drought by installing green stormwater infrastructure like rain gardens, rain barrels and permeable paving systems.
According to a UC spokesperson, results also show high levels of long-term homeowner satisfaction with installations.
“This past summer, the Urban Conservancy surveyed over one hundred Front Yard Initiative participants who had completed residential green infrastructure projects between 2015 and 2022,” said Emily Snyder, FYI program manager. “Their responses provided us with crucial insights into how we can build community resilience in the face of a changing climate, and create a city that is more beautiful, more neighborly, and friendlier to small businesses.”
“When we conducted a similar survey in 2020, we were primarily thinking about the role residential green infrastructure plays in mitigating flood risk,” said Dana Eness, executive director of the Urban Conservancy. “In 2023, we were reaching out to homeowners in the midst of historic drought conditions and we realized we have to think and speak more broadly about the important role green infrastructure plays in New Orleans.”
The Urban Conservancy will release the new report and host a Q&A session online. The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. A recording will be available after the event.
“Our findings show that residential green infrastructure, when properly installed, is effective, economical, and enhances community safety and quality of life by reducing not only the frequency and severity of localized flooding, but also the impacts of extreme heat and drought,” said Eness.
Advance registration is required.
The Urban Conservancy is a nonprofit that has collaborated on and led initiatives to “strengthen the urban environment and local economy through equitable practices, policies, and programs.”
