River Network’s recent story map highlights Community Leadership Development based on the Fostering Leadership Development toolkit and equitable climate resilience work with five communities in the national network of water, justice, and river advocates. Find the resource here
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The Charles River Flood Model was developed for the upper and middle Charles River watershed, an area of approximately 280 square miles. It includes most of the watershed outside the highly urbanized areas of Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline. The two … Continued
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The President of the Wilderness Society – Jamie Williams – addresses the audience for the curriculum with the following introduction and explanation: “We are thrilled to share a curriculum on public lands and waters in the United States. We hope … Continued
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“This portfolio showcases mitigation projects to provide practitioners with examples of activities that integrate the Investment Strategy’s goals and reflect the guiding principles of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA). Beginning in 2020, the Building Resilient Infrastructure and … Continued
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“The consequences of the climate crisis are here, and residents across the country are taking steps to protect their communities from the advancing threats of extreme heat, flooding, and other climate-related impacts. If you’re concerned about the current or potential … Continued
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The 2020 Resiliency Framework from the Colorado Resiliency Office highlights cross-sector work as an important component to implementing equitable resilience. The framework also highlights priorities and action steps to achieve them. “Colorado creatively implements forward-thinking solutions that are sustainable … Continued
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Inspiration Book: Arts and Experiential Learning: Building the Foundation for Arts and Experiential Learning Partnerships for Mitigation and Resilience is a resource developed by FEMA that includes key considerations for starting a project and inspiring examples of projects from around the world.
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The Guide offers resources around seven core Goals. It helps strengthen each organization’s Internal Readiness to advance equity, and to hone internal Policies and Programs, as well pathways to collaboratively advance goals related to Centering Community, Siting and Investment, Benefits-Driven Project Development, Economic Stability, and Preventing Displacement.
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This virtual series by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and the Delaware River Watershed Urban Waters Federal Partnership explored the state of equitable and resilient housing today, showcased local success stories, and provided a platform to bridge the gaps between communities and federal agencies so that our resources are maximized. The goal of this series was to emphasize the inclusion of collaboration and green solutions in equitably revitalizing our cities.
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This virtual series by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and the Delaware River Watershed Urban Waters Federal Partnership explored the state of equitable and resilient housing today, showcased local success stories, and provided a platform to bridge the gaps between communities and federal agencies so that our resources are maximized. The goal of this series was to emphasize the inclusion of collaboration and green solutions in equitably revitalizing our cities.
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This virtual series by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and the Delaware River Watershed Urban Waters Federal Partnership explored the state of equitable and resilient housing today, showcased local success stories, and provided a platform to bridge the gaps between communities and federal agencies so that our resources are maximized. The goal of this series was to emphasize the inclusion of collaboration and green solutions in equitably revitalizing our cities.
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Using community-based research, West Street Recovery published the report Survivors as Experts: A Community Evaluation of Disaster Recovery in Northeast Houston to “identify and analyze the barriers to recovery from the perspective of residents living in low income Black and … Continued
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Building Alliances for Equitable Resilience was developed by the Resilient Nation Partnership Network to deliver insights and perspectives to achieving a more resilient nation. The report includes Partner Perspectives on topics like equity vs. equality and overcoming unconscious bias and … Continued
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Bronx and Harlem River Watersheds Urban Waters Federal Partnership The Bronx and Harlem River Watersheds Urban Waters Federal Partnership was designed to reconnect marginalized communities in the Bronx to healthy and clean waterways and riverfronts. The Partnership is led by … Continued
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The report provides information about how six climate change impacts–(1) air quality and health, (2) extreme temperature and health, (3) extreme temperature and labor, (4) coastal flooding and traffic, (5) coastal flooding and property, and (6) inland flooding and property– … Continued
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The report provides an Urban Forest and Health Menu that compiles nature-based adaptation actions from peer-reviewed research. The menu includes nine adaptation strategies that are designed to be used with the Adaptation Workbook–a step-by-step process that helps users consider … Continued
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From the San Juan Bay Estuary Program (Estuario), the Community Preparedness Guide for Hurricanes is a guide (in Spanish) that suggests practical tips that can be applied in the community and in individual homes. The goal is to educate residents … Continued
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The American Flood Coalition and the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management convened a roundtable series with eight community based organization in 2020 to discuss the effects of flooding on historically underserved communities. The report–Conversations with Communities: Considerations … Continued
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The Opportunity on Water: How public opinion, politics, and decades of deep organizing have set the stage for real progress, right now is a new report by the Water Hub that shows how water is “common thread that runs through … Continued
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Snapshots from the Urban Waters Learning Network Building flood resilience—like water—can take many shapes. Members of the Urban Waters Learning Network (UWLN) are working on community solutions for urban flood resilience. Community engagement and education, green infrastructure, and habitat restoration are … Continued
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River Network has developed new Tools for Equitable Climate Resilience with two methods for addressing climate risks: (1) Leadership Development, and (2) Community Based Participatory Research. In this toolkit – Fostering Community-Led Research and Knowledge – three methods are described … Continued
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This session was recorded as part of River Rally 2020 and led by Darryl Haddock (West Atlanta Watershed Alliance) and Jennifer Arnold (Reciprocity Consulting, LLC). Historically marginalized populations suffer disproportionately from the effects of flooding and inadequate investments in water … Continued
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The report from the Center for Neighborhood Technology outlines the impacts of green infrastructure investments on property values. The report also addresses the issue of green gentrification and includes anti-displacement practices. The authors state: “The best practices around the country … Continued
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The Green Values Strategy Guide from the Center for Neighborhood Technology describes how community benefits are related to Green Stormwater Infrastructure, defines different green stormwater infrastructure strategies, and includes information about (1) Health Benefits, (2) Economic Benefits, (3) Climate Benefits, … Continued
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River Network is developing Tools for Equitable Climate Resilience with two methods for addressing climate risks: (1) Leadership Development, and (2) Community Based Participatory Research. In this toolkit – Fostering Community Leadership – methods for creating successful leadership programs are … Continued
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The report from the Urban Sustainability Directors Network defines Resilience Hubs as a way to include equity-centered strategies that intersectionally reduce vulnerability and greenhouse gas emissions while engaging community members. In addition to defining key components of Resilience Hubs and … Continued
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The report summarizes a workshop hosted by the Georgetown Climate Center and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. The workshop brought together city, state, and federal officials to discuss methods to include social equity and environmental justice in building resilience to … Continued
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The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) planned a convening of more than 850 organizations that are part of the Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) for Oct, 2019. The conference met to address systematic racial, income, and accessibility challenges in … Continued
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The handbook was created from a collaboration between Blacks in Green (BIG) and the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), making connections between BIG’s programs—the Sustainable Square Mile, Grannynomics, and Green Village Building—and NRDC’s guidelines for Leadership in Energy and Environmental … Continued
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Broward County, Florida Once a part of the vast expanse of the Everglades wetlands, Broward County, Florida was first thought by settlers to be uninhabitable. Draining wetlands and building near the coastline made population increases possible. Today it is home … Continued
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In the Fall of 2019, the City of Providence released it’s Climate Justice Plan–a report that outlines the goal to not only become carbon neutral by 2050 but also to dedicate resources to frontline communities in leading the charge. The … Continued
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How to Prepare for Natural Disasters: A Pre-Disaster Toolkit for Small- to Medium-Size Communities Prepared by US EPA Urban Waters Federal Partnership, the toolkit was developed to help small- to medium-size communities jump-start their natural disaster planning process. The toolkit is … Continued
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This webinar is part of a series hosted by the Urban Waters Learning Network. This year, we are focusing on providing support to urban waters practitioners to help them build community and climate resilience through education, mitigation, and planning. We … Continued
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This is the second webinar in the Urban Waters Learning Network series on community resilience: community-based climate resilience planning. Community members who are most vulnerable to climate impacts are in the best position to make decisions about how to be … Continued
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The guide was developed by community-based organizations for community-based organizations working to develop and implement climate solutions. The information is also useful to philanthropic institutions funding climate resilience strategies as well as to government officials developing climate action plans. The … Continued
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While many municipalities are planning for climate resilience, the process isn’t necessarily inclusive of the most vulnerable communities. This guide provides direction to local governments to design more equitable planning processes. The document includes: a primer on social inequities and … Continued
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Created in the 1990s, the San Juan Bay Estuary Program (Estuario) is the only tropical estuary in the National Estuary Program. Estuario serves 8 municipalities in the San Juan metropolitan area, not only providing environmental and resiliency programs but also … Continued
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The effects of climate change on urban areas—like flooding, heat, and drought—are clear to urban waters practitioners around the nation. However, the science of a changing climate can be complex and unclear to the communities that are affected. This webinar … Continued
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This toolkit was created to guide NAACP units through the process of establishing an Environmental and Climate Justice Committee in order to develop a climate adaptation plan. The action toolkit provides 19 modules ranging from Developing a Community Climate Action … Continued
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“This toolkit is designed to guide NAACP units and their Environmental and Climate Justice (ECJ) Committees through the process of building equity into the four phases of emergency management: prevention and mitigation, preparedness and resilience building, response and relief, and … Continued
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River Network’s Drinking Water Guide is a first step in galvanizing a national network of advocates for safe, clean, affordable, and sustainable drinking water and drinking water systems. Supported by the C.S. Mott Foundation, and guided by a Great Lakes–based Advisory Committee, … Continued
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When Hurricane Maria struck in September 2017, septic and power systems in the San Juan Bay Estuary failed and crucial habitats were destroyed as had been predicted by the vulnerability assessment conducted four years earlier. Although Estuario was prepared to respond, guided by the adaptation plans established in 2015, aging infrastructure, continued development in the watershed, and intense hurricane forces multiplied the impacts of flooding and water pollution. In the aftermath of the storm, it was very clear to Estuario leaders that aggressive actions needed to be taken to increase both the ecological and economic resiliency of the watershed. Estuario doubled-down on its efforts with #EstuarioRevive, an initiative designed to implement projects to monitor, restore, and increase the resilience efforts of the San Juan Bay Estuary.
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To further combat the impacts of CSOs, stormwater runoff, and pollution in urban watersheds, local organizations and businesses formed the RI Green Infrastructure Coalition (GIC) in 2014. The Coalition is made up of nearly 40 local businesses, non-profits, and government offices in the Providence-Metro and Newport-Aquidneck Island areas. They are forming partnerships and using green infrastructure to decrease stormwater flooding, address climate change impacts, enhance water quality, and promote equity in urban watersheds.
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Los Angeles River Watershed: Climate, Pollution, and Policies The Los Angeles (LA) River watershed covers an area of 854 square miles, originating in the Santa Monica, Santa Susana, and San Gabriel Mountains. The headwaters of the river are mainly open … Continued
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Recognizing the need to provide quality climate change curriculum for public high school students in Yonkers, NY, Groundwork Hudson Valley has created a hands-on, multi-visual curriculum that receives high marks from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Entitled Global, Local, Coastal: Preparing the Next Generation for a Changing Planet, its development was funded by NOAA’s Environmental Literacy Program, one of only six grants awarded nationwide.
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El Caño Martin Peña (CMP) is a 3.75-mile-long tidal channel located within the San Juan Bay National Estuary in Puerto Rico, the only tropical estuary within the National Estuary Program. The degraded channel has threatened not only communities’ health, but the ecosystem as well. ENLACE engages in public education activities to promote an understanding of the impacts of environmental degradation, fostering critical consciousness and democratic action to support restoration efforts. The restoration of the estuarine tidal channel will allow for mangroves to flourish and increase biodiversity, improving resilience during storms and providing opportunities for tourism.
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This U.S. Water Alliance publication summarizes the overarching and regional challenges that demonstrate the need for more equitable approaches, then outlines the “three pillars of equity” based on USWA’s original research, as well as data from PolicyLink. The report goes … Continued
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At scales ranging from the neighborhood and city to the watershed and basin, some communities are doing the work of breaking down the silos in water management to increase sustainability and equitably maximize benefits across the community and watershed. So, … Continued
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Executive Summary: “In an era rocked by climate change and other large-scale disruptions, our cities must be resilient in order to survive and thrive. But what does that mean, exactly? What is known about urban resilience, and what remains to … Continued
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As different parts of the country become drier, wetter or hotter, community leaders and citizens are looking to green infrastructure to improve their community’s resiliency to the effects of climate change. In 2015, EPA convened charrettes, or intensive planning sessions, in … Continued
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This Trust for Public Land study shines a light on the successes and challenges of water-smart public parks, providing case studies of cities across the country. The document looks at both the technologies and the political agreements necessary for using … Continued
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