Introducing Green Infrastructure for Resilience Workshop

Thursday, April 30th 2015

Registration at 9:00 am, Workshop 9:30am-4:30pm

The Green Infrastructure approach to planning utilizes the natural environment and constructed systems to mimic natural processes. These concepts can help communities find solutions to infrastructure issues

       such as storm water management that are economically and environmentally beneficial.

During this day-long introductory workshop, NOAA staff will discuss fundamental green infrastructure concepts and practices that play a critical role in making communities more resilient to natural hazards. Through presentations and group discussion, participants will learn about a range of green infrastructure projects in their local and regional areas and will identify planning processes that can support green infrastructure. They will interact with a diverse group of participants making valuable connections for moving local and regional green infra-structure projects forward. *This training is coastal-focused but many of the same concepts and practices can be applied inland, so we encourage anyone interested in this topic to register.

Who should attend: county and city planners, public works officials, planning and zoning board members, city managers, conservation professionals, floodplain managers, land trust managers, and others interested in green infrastructure concepts.

***Six hours of certification maintenance credits for this course have been approved by the American Institute of Certified Planners. Five core continuing education credits have been approved for certified floodplain managers.

Speakers will include:

· Chris Bird, Director of Alachua County's Environmental Protection Department. Alachua County has embraced the strategic importance of natural systems for strengthening resiliency to extreme weather and water resource pressures.  The County's green infrastructure approach has emphasized conservation land acquisition, land use planning, lower impact development, floodplain, surface water and wetland protection.

· Christian Wagley with Sustainable Town Concepts in Pensacola works with builders, architects, developers, and communities to create homes, buildings and landscapes that use less energy and water yet are beautiful and durable. He holds a master’s degree in biology/coastal zone studies from the University of West Florida.

· Barbara Albrecht, Watershed Coordinator at the University of West Florida Center for Environmental Diagnostics & Bioremediation will talk about living shorelines.

The workshop is free. Seating is limited. Register at http://goo.gl/forms/k1AbxGOgNh. Participants must pre-register by April 15^th. Participants can bring their lunch or bring $10.00 and lunch will be provided. For more information please contact Anita Grove at 850-670-7708 or Anita.Grove@dep.state.fl.us or Margo Posten 850-670-7719 orMargaret.Posten@dep.state.fl.us

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