Urban Conservation Photo Gallery

Bioretention Cell

This bioretention cell can absorb runoff from the parking lot. It is filled with trees and native plants and grasses.

Bioretention Cell

Bioretention cells manage runoff from impervious surfaces that dominate commercial, institutional and industrial sites.

Bioswale

Bioswales are vegetated conveyance systems that provide an alternative to storm sewers.

Compost Blanket

A compost blanket is blown on this new Johnston, Iowa yard. Compost is high in organic matter content, which absorbs the impact of raindrops, preventing the detachment of soil particles.

Compost Blanket

Compost mixed with grass seed is blown on this new central Iowa lawn.

Compost Socks

A road tube outlets water to compost-seeded Filtrexx Soxx™ (a type of compost sock) that reduce flow to a temporary sediment basin at a new residential subdivision in Glenwood, Iowa.

Green Roof

A green roof on a park building in Coralville, Iowa. Green roofs conserve energy, reduce storwater runoff and can protect conventional roofing systems.

Green Roof

This green roof on a park building in Coralville, Iowa restores the aesthetic value of urban open space.

Green Roof

This green roof on a park building in Coralville, Iowa dramatically reduces stormwater runoff.

Inlet Protection

Geotextile fabric is installed beneath the grate of this storm sewer inlet. Runoff will receive one last filtering before moving off-site.

Inlet Protection

This curb cut provides inlet protection before storm water runoff enters a storm sewer.

Mulch

Apply vegetative residue, such as mulch, to protect soil surfaces from the impact of raindrops or the ersosive forces of wind.

Native Landscaping

A purple coneflower serves as native landscaping.

Native Landscaping

Native landscaping on acreages can reduce the amount of lawn care needed and provide for a beautiful, low maintenance garden.

Native Landscaping

Native plants have a tremendous root architecture that builds soil quality and increases organic matter content.

Native Landscaping

Native landscaping is a storm water management practice that retains and infiltrates rainfall on-site.

Native Landscaping

This native is being planted in a rain garden. Native plants have strong roots that absorb water like sponge.

Paver Blocks

Paver blocks are one example of a permeable paving alternative.

Permeable Paving Alternative

Paver blocks allow water to infiltrate this parking lot in Minnesota.

Permeable Paving Alternative

Paver blocks allow water to infiltrate to a subgrade below.

Permeable Paving Alternative

Paver blocks serve as an alternative to a traditional paved parking lot in an auto dealership in Minnesota.

Permeable Paving Alternative

Paver blocks provide the support of traditional impervious surfaces while allowing water to infiltrate. The system works well for this auto dealership in Minnesota.

Permeable Paving Alternative

This parking lot in West Des Moines, Iowa, uses paver blocks to allow rainfall to infiltrate the surface.

Pervious Walking Trail

A pervious walking trail at a residential subdivision in Glenwood, Iowa. A geo-web vinyl grid lies on top of a geo-web fabric. The grid holds open grated rock in place. The trail will infiltrate storm water runoff.

Porous Asphalt

A portion of this walking trail (bottom) has porous asphalt, which allows water to infiltrate and dries the surface quickly. The above portion is a traditional asphalt surface.

Porous Asphalt

A central Iowa parking lot has porous asphalt, which allows water to infiltrate.

Porous Asphalt

Compared to traditional asphalt on the right, porous asphalt allows water to infiltrate.

Rain Garden Installation

Sizing of a rain garden depends on the depth of the rain garden and the percolation rates you have at the site. This is a rain garden installation in North Dakota.

Rain Garden

A rain garden near Iowa's Great Lakes is part of a treatment train that absorbs runoff from three acres of parking lots.

Rain Garden

This is the North Dakota rain garden after installation, taking in water from a heavy rain.

Rain Garden

Paul Miller, district conservationist in Polk County, helps a student from Greenwood Elementary in Des Moines plant a native in a rain garden that catches runoff from the school parking lot.

Rain Garden

Rain gardens should be located 30-40 feet from your home, and should utilize natural depressions, if possible.

Rain Garden

Rain gardens create functional landscapes by infiltrating rainwater and by processing pollutants.

Rain Garden

WHO radio in Des Moines assisted Iowa conservationists with the installation of a West Des Moines rain garden in 2007.

Rain Garden Installation

It is important that a rain garden be as level as possible.

Rain Garden

Rain gardens are perennial gardens that are strategically located to capture runoff from impervious surfaces.

Rolled Erosion Control

Matting protects the disturbed slope from erosion until vegetative cover is established. Seeding is completed prior to installation.