TRINITY WOODS’ GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE EFFORTS AND THE MMSD LUMINARY AWARD
At Trinity Senior Services (TSS) and Trinity Woods (TW), we are deeply committed to environmental stewardship. Our green efforts not only reflect our mission to serve the community, but they also align with global sustainability goals, helping protect the environment for future generations. On September 9th, 2024, we were even awarded the prestigious MMSD Luminary Award for our green infrastructure initiatives.
What is Green Infrastructure and why should we care?
It’s essential to understand what we’re discussing and why you should care. Not only will Green Infrastructure (GI) preserve resources like clean air, water and wildlife for future generations, but it will improve your well-being overall. So, what is Green Infrastructure?
Green infrastructure refers to the use of natural systems to manage water and reduce the impact of development on the environment. According to experts, green infrastructure includes techniques like rain gardens, permeable pavements, and bioswales, which all help to capture and treat stormwater at the source. Green infrastructure is about using the landscape around us to manage stormwater more naturally. It reduces pollution, prevents flooding, and creates greener, more resilient communities.
Green Infrastructure at Trinity Woods
Dave Fulcher, CEO of Trinity Senior Services, expresses his passion for the environment, “About 3 years ago when we were developing the property [Trinity Woods], we really wanted to be better stewards of the resources that have been given to us. If you look around on our property, it is simply amazing.”
Water conservation is a cornerstone of our green infrastructure efforts at Trinity Woods. By designing systems that capture and reuse water, we reduce runoff and promote sustainability. This approach ensures that rainwater is managed effectively, helping to alleviate stress on public sewer systems and reduce potential flooding. One of the most important features on our campus is the bioswales we’ve integrated into the landscape.
These Bioswales are shallow, vegetated channels that slow down and filter stormwater as it moves through the landscape. They help to capture and naturally treat water before it enters the groundwater system. At Trinity Woods, we’ve installed four bioswales across the property, which not only support water management but also create a beautiful, green environment for residents and visitors to enjoy. These bioswales are essential to reducing the runoff from hard surfaces like roads and roofs, ensuring the water is filtered and absorbed back into the earth naturally.
Another key factor of Trinity Wood’s sustainable design practices is the use of porous pavements. In conventional parking lots, rainwater hits the surface and runs off quickly, carrying impurities and creating stormwater management challenges. Porous pavements, on the other hand, allow water to seep through and infiltrate into the soil below. This reduces runoff, helps recharge groundwater, and provides a sustainable solution for stormwater management.
The environmental commitment at Trinity Woods is deeply connected to the legacy of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), who have long been stewards of creation. Their values shaped the vision for Trinity Woods, where sustainability was built into the very foundation of the community. The sisters understood that caring for the environment is integral to caring for people, and this perspective guided the design choices that make Trinity Woods a leader in green infrastructure today. Dave took that opinion to heart, saying “The School Sisters of Notre Dame consists of religious women who are very engaged with the environment and the world around them. We took that mantra and mission and philosophy and said, you know what, we’re all connected, we’re interconnected.”
This commitment to environmental stewardship, inspired by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, became the driving force behind every sustainable choice at Trinity Woods. With a deep understanding that all life is interconnected, as Dave pointed out, our community’s design reflects the sisters’ values of respect for the environment. This guiding philosophy has not only shaped our infrastructure but also earned us recognition for our green initiatives.
Trinity Woods granted MMSD Green Luminary Award®
On September 9th, 2024, Trinity Woods was honored with the MMSD Luminary Award, which recognizes exceptional efforts in implementing green infrastructure. This award celebrates organizations that not only understand the importance of environmental responsibility but also take action to integrate sustainable practices into their operations. Trinity Woods’ comprehensive use of bioswales, porous pavements, and overall water conservation strategies made us a shining example of how a senior living community can prioritize sustainability.
Receiving this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in making Trinity Woods a model for green infrastructure. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and look forward to continuing our efforts to protect the environment and serve our community!
For those interested in learning more about what green infrastructure looks like and how they can adopt similar practices, we encourage you to explore the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s (MMSD) resources on sustainable stormwater solutions, such as bioswales and porous pavements.
