Field building for the national GSI industry

The State of Public Sector Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Through its network of members leading green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) projects nationwide, the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange recognized that governments lacked a standard way to measure and report their efforts. To address this, the Exchange hired Greenprint, with support from The JPB Foundation and Pieces Foundation, to develop the State of Public Sector Green Stormwater Infrastructure report and data dashboard.

Over a year, we convened a national advisory committee and collected data from 52 public stormwater organizations in 27 states, creating the first nationwide dataset and analysis of public sector GSI. Our goal was to build a blueprint for improving projects and serving communities more effectively. The report assesses implementation, identifies drivers and barriers, and proposes a shared GSI standard grounded in equity, community engagement, co-benefits and long-term maintenance. It offers data-driven answers to key questions about what drives or hinders GSI, how to scale it and where it’s being built.

Key characteristics of high-impact GSI include centering communities, designing for multiple benefits, prioritizing vegetative practices, maintaining and inspecting regularly and evaluating for impact. By addressing challenges and highlighting opportunities, the report guides governments toward equitable, community-centered solutions and a unified national approach.