By Evan Covert

Green Living Magazine hosted a day of learning about green stormwater infrastructure on July 18. The magazine partnered with the City of Phoenix’s Office of Environmental Programs.

The first four panelists that spoke at the event were Ricardo Aguirre, Director of Drylands Alliance for Addressing Water Needs; Jay Hicks, Principal of Dig Studio; Dr. Max Wilson, Deputy Water Services Director of the City of Phoenix Water Services Department; and Kaylee Colter, Principal Landscape Architect of Eighty Eight Acres, with moderator Anna Bettis, Arizona Healthy Cities Program Director. They each answered various questions regarding Green Stormwater Infrastructure. 

“A textbook definition is that it’s an infrastructure that utilizes natural processes to accomplish a lot of what our goals are,” Wilson explained green stormwater infrastructure. Unexpected benefits from GSI were also discussed, such as the improvement of air quality.

Four other speakers at the event presented mini-conversation topics. Vicki Anderson, owner of Studio 905, discussed the simple process of adding more vegetation to neighborhoods. It benefits the community because it adds more shade and that reduces the heat.

The second presentation was done by Brian Schalk, Senior Project Manager at Wilson and Company. Schalk explained the uncertainties involving Maricopa County such as changes in land value and population. He also explained GSI is needed now more than ever due to the rising temperatures and water scarcity Maricopa County is facing. There was also mention of future projects such as the Franciscan Renewal Center and Lake Havasu City Master Plan. 

Chris Montague-Breakwell, Environmental Program Manager of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, gave the third presentation. He talked about the large amount of heavy metals affecting Arizona with stormwater, and the state and federal funding opportunities available to incorporate green infrastructure. 

Jesse Westad, Principal of WERK Urban Design gave the final presentation. He focused on landscape architecture and the importance of having more trees in the Valley.

This event was sponsored by Wilson & Company, Witnessing Nature in Food, Dig Studio, Marlene Imirizian & Associates Architects, WERK Urban Design, and The Nature Conservancy Arizona.

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