In November 2000, the City initiated Green Topeka to address water quality and quantity concerns. Green Topeka is a partnership that includes state agencies, Kansas State University, local government, nonprofit organizations, private stakeholders, and the USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC). The partnership is working to develop and implement a Stormwater Master Plan. Green Topeka views stormwater projects holistically and is using the experience to develop a set of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to address stormwater concerns and to increase green infrastructure throughout the community. Using natural techniques in combination with conventional approaches can retain many of the existing vegetated drainage ways. This approach to stormwater planning on the front end of development projects rather than retrofitting costly stormwater fixes after urban growth has occurred can get the job done. The Green Topeka partnership recognizes that creating and maintaining a sustainable community and responsible management of all water resources is too big for any single department or agency. Many different fields of expertise and funding sources are necessary.