Low Impact Development Center

Low Impact Development Center
Name	Low Impact Development Center
Type	Nonprofit organization
Founded	1998
Founder	Thomas L. Schueler
Headquarters	Ellicott City, Maryland
Area served	United States
Focus	Stormwater management; Green infrastructure; Sustainable development

Low Impact Development Center

The Low Impact Development Center is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting low impact development techniques for stormwater management, green infrastructure, and urban watershed protection. It develops technical guidance, offers training for practitioners and policymakers, and supports demonstration projects across Maryland, the United States, and internationally. The organization works with municipal agencies, engineering firms, academic institutions, and conservation groups to advance resilient site design and water quality improvements.

History

Founded in 1998 by Thomas L. Schueler and collaborators from regional planning and environmental organizations, the Center emerged amid renewed attention to Chesapeake Bay restoration and evolving stormwater regulations. Early collaborations included partnerships with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Maryland Department of the Environment, and local governments in Baltimore County and Howard County, Maryland. Through the 2000s the Center expanded its influence by publishing guidance, hosting workshops, and advising on municipal ordinances that paralleled shifts in federal and state policy such as revisions to the Clean Water Act implementation at the state level. In the 2010s it engaged with regional initiatives like the Chesapeake Bay Program and national networks including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and American Society of Civil Engineers. The Center’s timeline reflects intersections with landmark events in urban sustainability, including municipal adoption of green roofs and permeable pavement projects.

Mission and Programs

The Center’s mission emphasizes science-based promotion of site design that mimics pre-development hydrology to reduce runoff and improve water quality. Core programs target municipal capacity building, practitioner training, model ordinance development, and public outreach. Programmatic partners have included University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, and professional societies such as the Society for Ecological Restoration and the American Planning Association. Training offerings are tailored for audiences from elected officials in counties like Montgomery County, Maryland to design professionals working with firms such as AECOM and HDR, Inc.. The organization also administers technical assistance programs aligned with funding sources like the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants and state revolving funds managed by state environmental agencies.

Technical Guidance and Best Practices

The Center produces design manuals, guidance documents, and model ordinances that synthesize research on practices including bioretention, infiltration trenches, green roofs, rain gardens, and permeable pavements. Technical guidance aligns with standards promulgated by bodies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Highway Administration, and the American Society of Civil Engineers stormwater design criteria. Documents reference case law and regulatory frameworks, drawing on examples from municipalities including Seattle, Portland, Oregon, and Philadelphia that have advanced municipal stormwater programs. Best practices emphasize metrics from monitoring programs run by universities and laboratories such as the U.S. Geological Survey and EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory.

Projects and Case Studies

The Center has supported demonstration and retrofit projects across watersheds, from suburban redevelopment near the Chesapeake Bay to urban retrofits in Baltimore and pilot installations in New York City. Case studies document performance of installations such as rain gardens on public rights-of-way, parking lot retrofits using permeable pavers, and green roof installations on municipal buildings. Projects often involve collaborations with agencies like Maryland Department of Natural Resources and nonprofits such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Performance monitoring for select projects has been conducted in partnership with academic programs at University of Vermont, University of Maryland, College Park, and independent environmental laboratories.

Research and Publications

The Center’s publications include manuals, policy briefs, and peer-reviewed contributions coauthored with academics and practitioners. Research topics cover pollutant removal efficiencies, lifecycle maintenance costs, and hydrologic modeling for low impact development practices using tools embraced by scholars at Virginia Tech, Penn State University, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Publications cite monitoring data from programs involving the U.S. Geological Survey and regional environmental observatories. The Center’s materials inform curriculum at professional certification programs offered by organizations such as the American Society of Landscape Architects and continuing education for engineers licensed through state boards.

Partnerships and Funding

Funding sources include competitive grants, foundation support, and contracts with municipal governments and regional authorities. Major partners and funders have encompassed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, state agencies like the Maryland Department of the Environment, and philanthropies involved in environmental conservation. Collaborative networks extend to universities, professional societies, and advocacy organizations including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and the Trout Unlimited conservation group. The Center leverages partnerships with engineering firms and local governments to scale demonstration projects and policy adoption.

Impact and Recognition

The Center’s influence is evident in adoption of low impact development practices in municipal codes, inclusion of green infrastructure in capital projects for cities such as Philadelphia and Seattle, and citation of its guidance by state agencies and planning departments. Recognition includes endorsements and collaborative awards from regional coalitions involved in watershed restoration and urban resilience. The Center’s technical materials and trainings have been referenced in academic studies, municipal permit applications, and design standards adopted by professional organizations including the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Planning Association.

Category:Non-profit organizations in Maryland Category:Environmental organizations based in the United States