Stormwater Education Series: Green Infrastructure as a Social Justice Tool

Speaker: Lisa Merrifield is the sustainable community specialist on University of Illinois Extension’s Community and Economic Development Team. Lisa has over 20 years of experience working to build sustainability in Illinois and around the Great Lakes. She has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a master’s degree in urban planning with a focus on natural resource planning. 

Through green infrastructure practices, communities use parks and gardens to manage stormwater, create habitat for insects and wildlife, and help mitigate greenhouse gasses. But green infrastructure, done thoughtfully, can also be a tool for social justice. Research demonstrates that incorporating green spaces into cities can have a positive impact on a number of societal conditions, including crime, property values, and health. Increasing green space in economically challenged communities could also be one of the cures for societal inequality. 

In this webinar, we will discuss the connection between green infrastructure and community diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Lisa Merrifield will discuss the societal co-benefits of green infrastructure and how communities and organizations are incorporating equity into natural resource management. She will share the results of a recent survey about barriers and opportunities that communities in the Midwest are encountering in making green stormwater infrastructure equitable. 

Please register in advance for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2R2lx9O4TIyNc9eG0AX0lw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

To request a disability-related accommodation to participate in any of these programs, please contact Lake Champlain Sea Grant / Julianna White at 802-777-7017 or seagrant [at] uvm.edu no later than three weeks before your chosen date so we can assist you.