Going Wild: the Conservation Co-benefits of Green Infrastructure

Impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, roofs, streets, and parking lots are ubiquitous throughout the built environment. Stormwater runoff originating from these surfaces is a significant source of water pollution, and the impact of that pollution creates repercussions that ripple beyond the human sphere. Wildlife that depend on clean, abundant water resources—including species that are of recreational and economic value—cannot thrive in contaminated water bodies. Green infrastructure offers tools that can manage stormwater runoff, improve water quality for wildlife, restore wildlife habitat to the built environment, and invite beneficial species such as pollinating insects, birds, and fish back to the places we live. In this webcast, Mark Grey with the Seattle’s Clean Lake Union and Becky Masterman with the University of Minnesota’s Bee Squad discussed how green infrastructure practices can restore wildlife habitat to the urban landscape and improve water quality for both humans and wildlife alike.

Details

August 7, 2019
1:00 - 2:30 pm EDT

Speakers

Becky Masterman has led the UMN Bee Squad program since 2013. She graduated from the UMN Twin Cities first with a BA (major in history, minor in biology) and then obtained a Ph.D. in Entomology under the direction of Dr. Marla Spivak studying honey bee hygienic behavior and neuroethology. Becky leads a talented Bee Squad team of 18 that provides bee outreach to beekeepers and the public. As the outreach arm of the Bee Lab, the Bee Squad communicates the latest bee research to audiences that are passionate about helping bees. Bee Squad has expanded their programs to include innovative ways to not just help bees, but also help people. Now Bee Veterans, Bee Arts and projects that train others who might not have had access to beekeeping are part of the Bee Squad. Additionally, the Bee Squad has launched a national beekeeper citizen science project in an effort to fight the deadly mite pest, Varroa destructor. Learn more about bee research and the outreach mission of the Bee Squad at www.beesquad.umn.edu

Mark Grey is the owner of Stephen C. Grey & Associates, a specialty full-service property management firm serving Western Washington. He is responsible for all aspects of the business including managing over 1,300,000 square feet of real estate in addition to providing investment and financial services. Mark is active in the Seattle real estate market and recently completed new construction and major renovation projects in Seattle. Mark has 20 years in the industry and during that time has remained involved in the community through neighborhood organizations, school/business boards and even served a term as President of the Institute of Real Estate Management of Western Washington. Mark is also the founder of Clean Lake Union, a non-profit focused on improving water quality. Mark enjoys implementing his passion for pioneering higher building standards on real estate projects whether through the restoration, renovation or new construction projects; the Terry Thomas project was the first Gold LEED core & shell project of its kind in Seattle and the Watershed Building will be part of Seattle’s Living Building pilot program featuring a one of a kind runoff water filtration system to help clean Lake Union. Mark earned a B.A. in Business from Santa Clara University and resides in Seattle with his wife and four daughters.