By marrying stormwater wetlands and the stormwater drainage and conveyance system we put nature back in our front yards. When we incorporate natural features into detention basins and drainage channels, they become a neighborhood amenity and could actually increase property values, much as a park does for adjacent land (Crompton, 2005). It also restores some of the habitat and landscape functions lost to development. Instead of concrete channels and basins, our communities can have ribbons of lush vegetation that add character and provide opportunities for contact with nature for all of our citizens. Stormwater wetlands allow us to improve water quality as well as quality of life as we add beauty and ecological functionality to our communities.

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