Devens Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

A virtual tour of innovative Low-Impact Development (LID) Techniques Integrating the natural and built environment.


Nature-based Solutions (NbS) work with nature to address social, economic, and environmental challenges. Devens integrates NbS into all development projects through a combination of education, incentives, and regulations. This virtual tour takes look at NbS in Devens and provides resources to assist you in bringing them to your own communities.

Enjoy!


1. Verbeck Field (Ayer-Devens Pocket Forest Project)

1. Verbeck Field (Ayer-Devens Pocket Forest Project). Click to expand.

Pocket Forests - compact urban forests offering big forest ecosystem services and access to forests

2. Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School (Ayer-Devens Pocket Forest Project)

2. Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School (Ayer-Devens Pocket Forest Project). Click to expand.

Pocket Forests - compact urban forests offering big forest ecosystem services and access to forests

3. Commercial Low-Impact Development Site - Clear Path for Veterans

3. Commercial Low-Impact Development Site - Clear Path for Veterans. Click to expand.

Biofiltration in a Small Commercial Setting - attractive and functional raingardens and landscaping

4. Residential Low Impact Development Site - Emerson Green (Chance Street)

4. Residential Low Impact Development Site - Emerson Green (Chance Street). Click to expand.

Regulating NBS: Subdivisions (974 CMR 2.07)

5. Residential Low Impact Development Site - Emerson Green (Grant Road)

5. Residential Low Impact Development Site - Emerson Green (Grant Road). Click to expand.

Housing with Cluster Development, energy efficient homes, and pavement reduction

6. Sustainable Redevelopment and Educational Signage (Bill Ashe Visitor Center / USFWS)

6. Sustainable Redevelopment and Educational Signage (Bill Ashe Visitor Center / USFWS). Click to expand.

Low Impact Development with porous concrete and pavers, reused building materials

7. Low Impact Development at (One Jackson Place)

7. Low Impact Development at (One Jackson Place). Click to expand.

Biofiltration, Porous Pavement and Low Impact Development at Large Commercial Properties

8. Low Impact Development (King Street Properties)

8. Low Impact Development (King Street Properties). Click to expand.

Biofiltration, Porous Pavement and Low Impact Development at Large Commercial Properties

9. Rainwater Harvesting - Devens Common

9. Rainwater Harvesting - Devens Common. Click to expand.

Rainwater Harvesting - common green has roof runoff

10. Rainwater Harvesting - Little Leaf Farms

10. Rainwater Harvesting - Little Leaf Farms. Click to expand.

Rainwater Harvesting - runoff from greenhouses captured for reuse

11. LID and Green Roof - Bristol Myers Squibb

11. LID and Green Roof - Bristol Myers Squibb. Click to expand.

Green Roof and green wall on large pharmaceutical development.

12. LID at Devens Green Housing

12. LID at Devens Green Housing. Click to expand.

Net Zero Housing with Cluster and Low Impact Development.

13. Willow Brook- Stream Restoration Project

13. Willow Brook- Stream Restoration Project. Click to expand.

Stream Daylighting - culvert removed and stream restored to pre-Army base condition with native bank plantings.

14. Pollinator Meadows at MacPherson Road

14. Pollinator Meadows at MacPherson Road . Click to expand.

15. Pollinator Meadows (Bill Ashe Visitor Center)

15. Pollinator Meadows (Bill Ashe Visitor Center). Click to expand.

1. Verbeck Field (Ayer-Devens Pocket Forest Project)

Pocket Forests - compact urban forests offering big forest ecosystem services and access to forests

2. Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School (Ayer-Devens Pocket Forest Project)

Pocket Forests - compact urban forests offering big forest ecosystem services and access to forests

3. Commercial Low-Impact Development Site - Clear Path for Veterans

Biofiltration in a Small Commercial Setting - attractive and functional raingardens and landscaping

4. Residential Low Impact Development Site - Emerson Green (Chance Street)

Regulating NBS: Subdivisions (974 CMR 2.07)

  • Additional street types – more green, less grey
  • Green & Complete Streets Standards (street trees, LID drainage, reduce pavement widths, pedestrian scale design)
  • Cluster subdivision – 5,000 sf lots, min. setbacks•100% of new homes = Net Zero Energy and E+ (EE + power of the sun!)
  • Traffic calming measures (chicanes, bump-outs – additional LID planting within grey infra.)
  • Lot-level LID (pervious pavers, reinforced turf)
  • NBS and LID adds to community character

5. Residential Low Impact Development Site - Emerson Green (Grant Road)

Housing with Cluster Development, energy efficient homes, and pavement reduction

New Grant Road Neighborhood Redevelopment:

  • Rear Lane/Service Roads 12’ paved
  • Emergency access maintained using LID (worked with Fire Dept.)
  • Reduced UHI, SWM, $avings

6. Sustainable Redevelopment and Educational Signage (Bill Ashe Visitor Center / USFWS)

Low Impact Development with porous concrete and pavers, reused building materials

7. Low Impact Development at (One Jackson Place)

Biofiltration, Porous Pavement and Low Impact Development at Large Commercial Properties

Bio-filtration Landscape Islands: 27 Jackson Road

  • Mount Wachusett Comm. College 300+ spaces
  • Proper design and construction key to durability

Case Studies:  27 Jackson Road (2012 dollars):

  • Reduced site paving  -$32,000
  • Reduced curbing  -$50,000 
  • Reduced stormwater piping  -$14,000
  • Reduced stormwater structures   -$68,000
  • Increased landscaping   +$12,000
  • Increased site preparation  +$10,000
  • Increased soil mix   +$18,000 
  • Total Estimated Savings:  -$124,000

8. Low Impact Development (King Street Properties)

Biofiltration, Porous Pavement and Low Impact Development at Large Commercial Properties

Responsible/Sustainable Development at King Street Properties:

  • Next generation biofiltration swales, as well as reduction in impervious surface, including porous pavement parking spaces
  • Reduced UHI, increased Groundwater recharge, more efficient use of land
  • Building smarter and more sustainably

9. Rainwater Harvesting - Devens Common

Rainwater Harvesting - common green has roof runoff

(Regulations 974 CMR 4.00 & 8.00)

  • Required for commercial/industrial irrigation
  • Inexpensive supply of water
  • Preserves drinking water supplies
  • Requires little treatment for non-potable reuse ($$) (toilet flushing/irrigation)
  • Reduces SW runoff, NPS pollution & erosion
  • Reduces peak summer demand
  • Easy to install/screen
  • Plan early in design

10. Rainwater Harvesting - Little Leaf Farms

Rainwater Harvesting - runoff from greenhouses captured for reuse

  • Rainwater harvesting (90%)
  • Pollinator plantings – natural pest control, SWM
  • Automated process, pesticide-free
  • LID SWM – No CB’s, Biofiltration + GW Recharge
  • Locally sourced/farm to table same day (reduced Fuel & Vehicle Miles Traveled)

11. LID and Green Roof - Bristol Myers Squibb

Green Roof and green wall on large pharmaceutical development.

BMS NBS:

  • Cluster
  • Tree preservation (habitat)
  • Low Impact Development drainage
  • Green Building -Water & Energy Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Reduction

BMS: Integrating NBS into buildings:

  • Green roofs - Water & Energy Efficiency, Air Quality, Urban Heat Island reduction, Stormwater Management
  • White roofs - Energy Efficiency, Urban Heat Island reduction
  • Green walls  - Viewshed, Stormwater Management, Air Quality

12. LID at Devens Green Housing

Net Zero Housing with Cluster and Low Impact Development.

Pilot Residential Lot Level NBS and LID strategies:

  • No gutters
  • Pervious walkways
  • Rain gardens
  • Reduced lawn areas (cluster subdivision)
  • Street trees
  • Green Infrastructure & Urban Heat Island reduction
  • It can be done and IS being done!

13. Willow Brook- Stream Restoration Project

Stream Daylighting - culvert removed and stream restored to pre-Army base condition with native bank plantings.

Regulating NBS:

  • Incorporating NBS into infrastructure upgrades – Willow Brook Daylighting
  • NBS aiding in SWM and habitat restoration and connectivity

14. Pollinator Meadows at MacPherson Road

  • Pollinator plantings reduce mowing/emissions and restore habitat, supporting native pollinators and birds (which feed on caterpillars)
  • Native plants to support native pollinators
  • Regional Support & Community Collaboration with the Town of Ayer and the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge

15. Pollinator Meadows (Bill Ashe Visitor Center)

  • Pollinator plantings reduce mowing/emissions and restore habitat, supporting native pollinators and birds (which feed on caterpillars)

We hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of Nature-based Solutions in Devens.

For more information, feel free to contact  neilangus@devensec.com  or  bethsuedmeyer@devensec.com 

This project was funded through support from MassECAN’s Climate Ambassador Award Program


This Story Map was developed by the Devens Enterprise Commission in partnership with BSC Group, January 2025