Resilience Hubs as Community Superheroes of Climate Preparedness and Disaster Recovery
Recorded on Sept 20, 2023. In this session, we hear from national and local leaders experienced in establishing local Resilience Hubs.
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climate adaptation & resilience
Building Climate Resilience: Linking Historic Policies and Today’s Risks
Recorded June 19, 2023, this session provides a brief overview of the disparate impacts of climate change in the U.S. and help participants initiate and navigate local conversations about climate risk and vulnerability.
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Community Engagement and Planning for Watershed Resilience
Grand Rapids Urban Waters Federal Partnership The focus of Grand River/Grand Rapids UWFP has been on the restoration of the rapids in the Grand River as it flows through downtown Grand Rapids. The Partnership location also seeks to accelerate and coordinate projects … Continued
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Green Infrastructure and Gentrification: Harness the Benefits, Avoid the Displacement
Green infrastructure—including rain gardens, green streets and green space—provides stormwater management and climate adaptation benefits to communities. In spite of these environmental benefits, some residents are concerned about their role in green gentrification and contribution to displacement pressures. A recent … Continued
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Community Leadership for Equitable Climate Resilience
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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Charles River Flood Model
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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Public Lands Curriculum: Examining the past to build a more equitable future
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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Hazard Mitigation Assistance Mitigation Action Portfolio
“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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Changing Systems: A Groundwork Guide to Jumpstarting Local Climate Action in Your Community
“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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2020 Colorado Resiliency Framework
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
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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Equity Guide For Green Stormwater Infrastructure Practitioners
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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Envisioning Equitable and Sustainable Housing: Webinar 3: Federal Response
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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Envisioning Equitable and Sustainable Housing: Webinar 2: Local Stories
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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Envisioning Equitable and Sustainable Housing: Webinar 1: Framework
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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Survivors as Experts: A Community Evaluation of Disaster Recovery in Northeast Houston
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
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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Restoration and Resilience in NYC
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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Climate Change and Social Vulnerability in the United States
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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Climate Adaptation Actions for Urban Forests and Human Health
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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Community Preparedness Guide for Hurricanes
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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Conversations with Communities: Considerations for Equitable Flooding and Disaster Recovery Policy
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
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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Community Solutions for Urban Flood Resilience
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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Tools for Equitable Climate Resilience: Fostering Community-Led Research and Knowledge
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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Leading with Equity for Flooding Resilience and Investments in Water Infrastructure
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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Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Impact on Property Values
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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Green Values Strategy Guide: Linking Green Infrastructure Benefits to Community Priorities
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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Tools for Equitable Climate Resilience: Fostering Community Leadership
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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Resilience Hubs: Shifting Power to Communities and Increasing Community Capacity
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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Opportunities for Equitable Adaptation in Cities
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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Fixing America’s Broken Disaster Housing Recovery System, Part 1: Barriers to a Complete and Equitable Recovery
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 Sustainable Square Mile Handbook
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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Reclaiming the Coastline: Community-Based Dune Restoration in Broward County
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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The City of Providence’s Climate Justice Plan
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
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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After the Storm: Equitable Recovery and Resilient Adaptation
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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Centering the Community in Resilience Planning
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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Community-Driven Climate Resilience Planning: A Framework
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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Guide to Equitable Community-Driven Climate Preparedness Planning
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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Estuario’s Comprehensive Conservation Management and Watershed Mitigation Plans
| San Juan, Puerto Rico
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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Building Community Resilience: Climate Change Education as a First Step
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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Our Communities, Our Power: Advancing Resistance and Resilience in Climate Change Adaptation
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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In the Eye of the Storm: A People’s Guide to Transforming Crisis & Advancing Equity in the Disaster Continuum
“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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Drinking Water Guide
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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#EstuarioRevive: Monitoring, Restoration and Resiliency in the San Juan Bay Estuary
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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Green Infrastructure to Decrease Stormwater Flooding, Enhance Water Quality and Promote Equity
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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Urban Waters Civic Action Project: Water Science and Civic Engagement in the LA River Watershed
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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Groundwork Hudson Valley: Exciting Climate Change Curriculum Launched as Part of NOAA Environmental Literacy Program
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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Proyecto ENLACE del Caño Martin Peña: Restoring an Ecosystem and Building Resilient Communities in Puerto Rico
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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An Equitable Water Future: a National Briefing Paper
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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Strengthening Flood Resilience Through Integrated Water Management
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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Bounce Forward: Urban Resilience in the Era of Climate Change
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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Green Infrastructure and Climate Change: Collaborating to Improve Community Resiliency
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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City Parks, Clean Water: Making Great Places Using Green Infrastructure
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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