New Orleans | 2023
In New Orleans, the Greater Tremé Consortium (Water Wise Tremé), Healthy Community Services (Water Wise 7th Ward), and Upper 9th Ward Bunny Friend Neighborhood Association (Water Wise Upper 9th Ward), Hollygrove-Dixon Neighborhood Association, New Orleans East Green Infrastructure Collective, and the Lower 9th Ward Homeownership Association in partnership with Water Wise Gulf South (WWGS) have planted over 770 trees, installed 146 rain barrels, and implemented over 113 other green infrastructure projects since 2013. Projects include rain gardens, concrete removal, French drains, rain barrels, stormwater planter boxes, pervious pavement, and bioswales. These projects have added more than 189,000 gallons of stormwater retention capacity to areas of New Orleans which are frequently flooded. The partnership also empowers diverse community members to implement green infrastructure solutions, addressing community concerns through educational and training support as well as community-building events.
Earth Economics Water Wise Gulf South, Greater Tremé Consortium, Healthy Community Services, Upper 9th Ward Bunny Friend Neighborhood Association, Hollygrove-Dixon Neighborhood Association, New Orleans East Green Infrastructure Collective, and the Lower 9th Ward Homeownership Association have produced an updated valuation since the first report in 2021.
The analysis found that completed GI projects provide $19.3 million in ecosystem services benefits to the local and regional community each year. In addition to completed projects, community engagement has empowered residents to engage in the visioning of future GI projects for their neighborhoods with Community Lookbooks. These community-visioned projects could store approximately 6.5 million gallons of water and increase green space by 45 acres. With projected costs of $32 million for installation and $1.5 million in annual maintenance, these projects will provide $116 million in benefits. GI projects provide additional benefits not captured in this valuation, such as community cohesion, cultural preservation, land subsidence mitigation, workforce development, and mental and physical health.
*Note: dollar values in the fact sheet have been rounded differently than those shown in the technical report.
© Earth Economics, Water Wise Gulf South, Greater Tremé Consortium, Healthy Community Services, Upper 9th Ward Bunny Friend Neighborhood Association, Hollygrove-Dixon Neighborhood Association, New Orleans East Green Infrastructure Collective, and the Lower 9th Ward Homeownership Association 2023.
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