After the Storm
The show highlights three case studies – Santa Monica Bay, the Mississippi River Basin/Gulf of Mexico, and New York City – where polluted runoff threatens watersheds highly valued for recreation, commercial fisheries and navigation, and drinking water. Key scientists and water quality experts, and citizens involved in local and national watershed protection efforts provide insight into the problems as well as solutions to today's water quality challenges. After the Storm also explains simple things people can do to protect their local watershed-such as picking up after one's dog, recycling household hazardous wastes, and conserving water. The program is intended for educational and communication purposes in classrooms, conferences, etc.
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After the Storm
Reduce Runoff: Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In
The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Botanic Garden produced the following 9-minute on-line video, “Reduce Runoff: Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In,” that highlights green techniques such as rain gardens, green roofs, and rain barrels to help manage stormwater runoff.
The film showcases green techniques that are being used in urban areas to reduce the effects of stormwater runoff on the quality of downstream receiving waters. The goal is to mimic the natural way water moves through an area before development by using design techniques that infiltrate, evaporate, and reuse runoff close to its source.
The techniques are innovative stormwater management practices that manage urban stormwater runoff at its source, and are very effective at reducing the volume of stormwater runoff and capturing harmful pollutants. Using vegetated areas that capture runoff also improves air quality, mitigates the effects of urban heat islands and reduces a community’s overall carbon footprint.
The video highlights green techniques on display in 2008 at the United States Botanic Garden’s “One Planet – Ours!” Exhibit" and at the United States Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C., including recently completed cisterns.
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Reduce Runoff: Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In