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Canopy for Clean Water

Stormwater Infrastructure

Forests and urban tree canopy play a critical role in protecting the Cape Fear River watershed by naturally managing stormwater, filtering pollutants, and reducing flooding—benefits that are often overlooked in local development standards but essential for climate resilience.

Image by Parastoo Gheisari

OVERVIEW

Forests and urban tree canopy are vital to the Cape Fear River watershed’s clean water strategy, naturally filtering pollutants, absorbing rainfall, and slowing runoff before it reaches our waterways.

As development accelerates, the loss of critical canopy is intensifying flooding, erosion, and contamination, while climate change brings rising seas and stronger storms.​

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Trees ease the burden on costly stormwater systems by filtering pollutants and improving water quality—often outperforming pipes and basins.

 

Their role in stormwater quantity management is significant but not formally recognized in most local standards.

Image by Mārtiņš Rubezis
Image by Jeff W

Policy Priorities

CANOPY FOR CLEAN WATER

Trees play a vital role in stormwater management—naturally filtering pollutants and reducing runoff—but their value is often overlooked in local policies. To build resiliency, communities can integrate standards and incentives into local ordinances.

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