1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EST
Location: Online via Zoom
Speakers:
Katherine Grantham, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
Implementing nature-based solutions, like green infrastructure, has become a popular method for building community resilience to climate change through a triple bottom line approach. Opportunities for green infrastructure implementation in underserved communities, however, are more limited and challenging. During this webcast, Katie Grantham, Planner with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, will discuss lessons learned from past projects working with environmental justice communities, what communities need to successfully implement green infrastructure, and how their upcoming work will better prepare communities to more equitably build resilience.
Maxwell Dugan, Geosyntec
As a key foundation of our nationwide stormwater practice, Geosyntec practitioners recognize the need and opportunity to integrate environmental justice and community engagement into watershed planning efforts. This portion of the webinar will feature two examples of this work from urban watersheds in Los Angeles, CA and St. Louis MO. Together, these projects embody the national movement to reimagine America’s infrastructure, transforming aging systems into multifunctional landscapes that advance sustainability, social equity, and long-term adaptability.
Part 1: Reimagining the LA River
The LA River Master Plan and Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan represent a paradigm shift in infrastructure planning, integrating flood control with ecological restoration and inclusive public spaces. These initiatives champion climate resilience through nature-based solutions that help mitigate extreme weather impacts, restore habitats, and enhance water quality. Equally important, they prioritize community engagement—helping ensure that historically underserved neighborhoods have a voice in shaping equitable access to green spaces and recreational opportunities.
Part 2: Advancing Urban Flood Resilience: A Justice-Centered Strategy for Nature-Based Solutions and Green Stormwater Infrastructure
In response to the historic flooding of July 2022, the City of St. Louis initiated a citywide strategy to mitigate flood risk through nature-based solutions and green stormwater infrastructure. This presentation will highlight the City’s vision of reimagining its relationship with waterways by creating sustainable solutions that protect the environment, strengthen communities, and build long-term resilience for future generations. At the core of this strategy is the integration of environmental and economic justice principles, enabling vulnerable communities to benefit from resilient and equitable outcomes.
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