The primary goal of the Stormwater Infrastructure Program is to complete the design and construction of the conversion of under-performing turf swales into high-performing infiltration solutions, including a Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance (RSC), along the highly visible University Drive on the UW-Parkside campus. The secondary goal is to bring awareness of turf conversion to the public and inspire more green infrastructure projects in the Root-Pike basin. The third goal is to integrate curriculum and monitoring into the UW-Parkside curriculum – bringing awareness to the multiple species benefits of native plantings included in these green infrastructure solutions. Together, these goals help advance our vision of an unimpaired Pike River watershed. There are five major outcomes that will occur by implementing UW-Parkside’s Concept Plan. The primary outcome is the reduction of storm water volume that currently runs off the campus’ turf and paved areas into the Pike River. The secondary outcome is the natural treatment of storm water pollutants through native plantings and other green infrastructure techniques. Other outcomes include more vegetative diversity for threatened pollinators, additional UWParkside curriculum integration through water quality monitoring, pollinator surveys and sustainable management, and working examples of native landscaping to inspire other large organizations with under-performing stormwater infrastructure.
