The Green Connector: Building Municipal Resiliency through Nature-based Approaches
Thursday, December 3rd, 1:00 – 2:30 PM EST
Over the past few years, several New England communities have become increasingly vulnerable to flooding, storm surge, drought, and extreme heat. The Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Grant Program has awarded Planning and Action Grants to 287 Massachusetts communities to support development of vulnerability assessments, action-oriented resiliency plans, and priority projects to help mitigate impacts of extreme weather events. Green infrastructure and nature-based solutions are a key, and sometimes overlooked, element of comprehensive community resilience planning. Municipalities may lack resources, knowledge, or connections to green infrastructure designers and experts in the field who can help identify nature-based solutions to coastal flooding and extreme weather events.
This webinar will showcase how nature-based solutions can fit into the resiliency-building efforts of municipalities involved in the MVP program. Speakers will discuss strategies and best practices for planning, implementation and maintenance of nature-based solutions for the benefit of grant recipients, potential applicants, and communities across New England. The webinar will also feature a case study on Northampton, MA, an MVP community that successfully included nature-based solutions in their MVP resiliency program through restoration of the former Pine Grove Golf Course on Nashawannuck Brook.
Presenters:
· Hillary King, Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program
· Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning and Sustainability, Town of Northampton, MA
· Trevor Smith, Land Escapes Design and Ecological Landscaping Association
Register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/128129911013