Over time many property owners in New Orleans have replaced green spaces in favor of concrete and other impervious surfaces in order to gain more parking and reduce yard maintenance. The amount of hard surfaces contributed to serious flooding problems across the city. Now a program incentivizes homeowners to replace the pavement with grass and other permeable materials to allow rain to soak into the ground and reduce stormwater runoff.

The Front Yard Initiative is explained in this episode with Dana Eness, Executive Director of The Urban Conservancy. Dana discusses how the process empowers property owners to design their front yard, the growing understanding of green solutions among New Orleans residents, and the success of the program, which captures 2 million gallons of water per year.

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