Our waterways are special here in Texas, but unfortunately, they face increasing threats from flooding, drought and water pollution. A full two thirds of freshwater sites and nearly half of all our beaches were too polluted to safely swim in on at least one testing day in 2017. We deserve better, and luckily, nature-based infrastructure can help. Here in Texas, we are advocating for the increased use of rain gardens, green roofs, wetlands and other nature-based infrastructure features which can prevent water pollution, mitigate flooding, ease drought, reduce urban heat and make our communities more beautiful. Learn more about our work below.
Our State’s waterways, from Barton Creek to Galveston Bay, are the pride of Texas communities. They provide the water we drink, the rivers where we kayak, and the banks along which we play.
Unfortunately, runoff pollution threatens our water. The concrete jungle of development prevents rainwater from soaking into the ground, forcing it to run over roofs and roads, picking up oil, toxic chemicals, litter and animal waste. When this polluted water reaches our waterways it makes us sick and threatens the habitat of our wildlife.
The solution to runoff pollution is nature-based infrastructure, including rain gardens, green roofs, and the conservation of natural spaces. These techniques allow rainwater to soak into the ground, filtering out pollution, slowing floods, reducing erosion, and restoring our aquifers. Texas can use these features to protect our waterways. That’s why we’re calling on Texan communities to increase the use of nature-based infrastructure statewide: through innovative municipal policy, statewide research, and private development leadership. To protect our clean water, let’s use the best tools we have.

Nature-based Infrastructure imitates nature by allowing rainwater to slow down, and soak in to local soil. This prevents water pollution while mitigating floods, combating drought, and reducing urban heat. Common examples include rain gardens, green roofs, permeable surfaces and rainwater harvesting.
The benefits of nature based systems include:
- Improving water quality. Stormwater systems can trap between 45 and 99 percent of solid pollutants.
- Mitigating flooding. Nature-based systems can absorb between 50 and 90 percent of rainfall and have the potential to fully prevent flooding from less severe storms.
- Preventing drought. Allowing rainfall to soak into local soils replenishes aquifers easing droughts later on.
- Reducing urban heat. Green areas of cities absorb more heat reducing summer temperatures by 10-15 degrees.
- Removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Trees and green roofs can capture hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide over their lifetimes.
- Preventing toxic algae blooms. Filtering out pollutants decreases the amount of nutrient laden runoff that enters local waterways reducing the risk of toxic algae blooms.
- Beautifying the landscape. Projects add greenspace to our communities, improving the quality of life.
Our goal for the 2021 Texas legislative session is to pass HB 2350, legislation that will increase access to nature-based infrastrucure by providing funding oppertunities for nature-based projects Texas communities.
We work to support the adoption of nature-based stormwater management across the state. We tackle the biggest barriers to implementation: lack of education, lack of funding, and lack of coordination, through reports, legislation, and more:
Reports
Comments/testimony
2020 Comments on TWDB’s Flood Infrastructure Fund
2020 House Natural Resources Interim Charge Two Comments
Support letter for research on degraded beach water quality
2019 Comments on TWDB's Flood Infrastructure Fund
News articles
KXAN: Ruling in property protest rights case voids Austin land development code overhaul votes
The Houston Chronicle: Trump administration scraps clean-water rule aimed at protecting streams, wetlands
KXAN: New land development code clears 1st hurdle —what does it mean for flooding risks?
Texas Environmental News: Experts gather in San Antonio for nature based infrastructure workshop
KRLD News Radio: Texas Storm Water Pollution Study Shows Largest Cities And Counties Failing
San Marcos Daily Record: San Marcos Ranks Fourth In Annual Stormwater Scorecard
Texas Observer: Climate Change Will Make Harmful Algae Blooms in Texas Waterways More Common
Houston Chronicle: Trump administration rolls back clean-water rule for streams and wetlands
Blogs
The House Natural Resources Committee can Fund Nature-Based Infrastructure
Houston Invests in Nature-Based Infrastructure
Preventing Sewage Spills with Rain Gardens: TWDB’s new rules
Experts gather in San Antonio for nature based infrastructure workshop
Texas Invests in Nature-Based Infrastructure
Green infrastructure should protect Texans from flooding
Greener cities flood less. Why are most of Texas’ flood solutions still gray?