Low Impact Development Lab

Drone Image of LID outdoor research facilities

What we do

Located at the WSU Puyallup Research & Extension Center, the Low Impact Development (LID) program is fundamentally an Extension program that leans heavily on research to develop education and outreach materials for a broad audience, including school kids, elected officials, and fellow scientists. We collaborate with cities, counties, regulatory agencies, and corporations to develop more efficient and resilient stormwater management systems.

Managing stormwater isn’t just about controlling where the water goes; its fate and transport are intrinsically linked to the ecosystems and communities surrounding stormwater’s path from ridge to ocean.

We aim to influence stormwater management decisions to serve traditionally under-resourced Black and Indigenous communities, people of color, lower-income groups, and the ecosystems they live within.