Benefits Toolkit

[Temporarily offline as of spring 2021] This straightforward calculator uses the inputs of produce type and planted area to determine the total pounds grown and market value of individual or multiple crops. Over 50 kinds of vegetables, fruits, and herbs are available in the drop-down menu. Calculations are based on…

Topics

Food production, Other economic, Food garden

Water Harvesting Calculator

Water Harvesting Solutions (Wahaso)

This tool estimates the volume of water required for toilet flushing in a building and compares it to the amount of water that a rainwater harvesting system could capture from roofs and parking lots. Inputs include: information on building occupancy, average rainfall, and roof and parking lot catchment areas. Results…

Topics

Water conservation, Rainwater harvesting

National Stormwater Management Calculator

Center for Neighborhood Technology

This online tool compares predevelopment, conventional development, and development with Green Stormwater BMPs for a single site. Results include changes in total runoff volume, pervious area, and life cycle costs. Inputs include: site size, predevelopment land cover, post development land cover, and parameters for…

Topics

Stormwater management, Operations & maintenance savings, Trees, Rainwater harvesting, Permeable paving, Bioretention, Native plants, Green roof

eBird

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

eBird is a database of citizen science bird observations that allows for tracking of bird species distribution and abundance worldwide. The online database is freely accessible and made possible by millions of bird observers across the world uploading information from field observations. The only required input is…

Topics

Populations & species richness, Biodiversity

Recycling and Reusing Landscape Waste Cost Calculator

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

This Microsoft Excel-based calculator estimates the cost and environmental benefits of four scenarios for handling hardscape and landscape wastes (concrete and asphalt, brick, lumber, and yard waste): (1) Reusing all waste possible on-site, recycling all waste possible that cannot be reused, and disposing of waste…

Topics

Water conservation, Energy use, Air quality, Carbon sequestration & avoidance, Waste reduction, Operations & maintenance savings, Other economic, Reused/recycled materials

Help build the LPS: Find out how to submit a case study and other ways to contribute.