Projects & Programs - Municipal/Community Training

 

 

Introduction

 

2019 Training Program Training Program
2020 Training Program
2021 Training Program
2022 Training Program
2023 Training Program
Resources 2019 Green Infrastructure Champions Contacts
2020 Green Infrastructure Champions
2021 Green Infrastructure Champions
2022 Green Infrastructure Champions
2023 Green Infrastructure Champions


Introduction

Green Infrastructure Champions are key players in implementing green infrastructure as a stormwater management approach town by town.  Green Infrastructure Champions will be able to:

  • Enhance their knowledge through green infrastructure workshops, seminars, and personal research
  • Engage community leaders to adopt green infrastructure as a stormwater management solution by updating ordinances and municipal master plans
  • Encourage local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and schools to incorporate green infrastructure in their existing landscaping
  • Secure funding for green infrastructure
  • Publicize implementation of green infrastructure through social media channels

Here is what we can offer:

  • Training on green infrastructure planning and implementation
  • Technical support to develop a design for a green infrastructure demonstration project
  • Networking opportunities with other Green Infrastructure Champions for mutual support
  • Assistance with grant writing and submission

    **A minimum of five (5) workshops is required for certification.**

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Green Infrastructure Champions Program - Training Program 2020

This program is partially funded by the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and is a collaboration of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program, the Green Infrastructure Subcommittee of Jersey Water Works, and Duke Farms.

1. “How to identify green infrastructure projects in your town”

Friday, January 17th from 10AM-12NOON; at Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ

Handouts:

  • Green Infrastructure Site Assessment Checklist (pdf, 2 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
  • Green Infrastructure Site Assessment Instructions (pdf, 4 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
  • Reference Sheet (pdf, 1 p.) - RCE Water Resources Program

    This workshop will provide an overview of green infrastructure practices and how to identify sites that can be retrofitted with green infrastructure.  The variables that should be considered in selecting the most appropriate green infrastructure practice will be discussed.  A green infrastructure site assessment checklist will be provided to all attendees. 

2. “Moving from planning to implementation of green infrastructure”

Friday, January 31st from 10AM-12NOON; at Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ

Handouts:

The various components of green infrastructure planning will be discussed including tools that can be used to help prepare these plans.  The implementation of green infrastructure projects that have been identified through the planning process will be the main focus of this workshop.  Leveraging existing projects, building partnerships, writing grants and project costs will be discussed.  Lessons learned during implementation will also be covered.


3.“Maintaining green infrastructure practices/projects”

Friday, February 14th from 10AM-12NOON; at Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ

Handouts:

The key to long-term success of green infrastructure is maintenance.  This workshop will discuss the maintenance requirements for each green infrastructure practice.  Model maintenance agreements will be shared and discussed.  Cost of maintenance will be covered in the workshop as well.

4. "Stormwater management regulations, policies, and ordinances"

Friday, February 28th from 10AM-12NOON; at Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ

Handouts:

Many people look to state and local policies, regulations, and ordinances to actuate a long-term change in how communities address stormwater issues. This workshop will discuss the current regulations and offer examples of policies and ordinances that can help communities reduce flooding and improve the health of their waterbodies.

5. "Green infrastructure planning and implementation for Sustainable Jersey points"

Friday, March 13th from 10AM-12NOON; via Webex webinar

Handouts:

Green infrastructure planning and implementation activities can be used to earn points through the Sustainable Jersey Program.  This workshop discusses planning as well as implementation activities that can be completed to obtain Sustainable Jersey points.

6. "Green infrastructure projects for schools"

Friday, March 27th from 10AM-12NOON; via Webex webinar

Handouts:

Public, private, and charter schools all tend to provide opportunities for green infrastructure.  This workshop will discuss green infrastructure projects for schools and educational programs that can accompany these projects to engage school children, their parents, and teachers.

7. "How to design and build a rain garden"

Friday, April 10th from 10AM-12NOON; via Webex webinar

Handouts:

One of the easiest green infrastructure practices to design and build is the rain garden.  In this workshop, attendees will learn how to design and build a rain garden.  The workshop will include useful tools for design including the New Jersey Rain Garden Manual and the Rain Garden App.  The workshop will not only teach attendees how to properly size a rain garden but also how to select plants.

8. "Retrofitting traditional detention basins with green infrastructure"

Friday, April 24th from 10AM-12NOON; via Webex webinar

Handouts:

Detention basins have been used throughout New Jersey since the early 1980s.  While these basins do reduce stormwater runoff peak flows from developed areas, they do very little to reduce stormwater runoff volumes or pollutant loads.  This workshop will discuss retrofitting detention basins to improve their infiltration capacity and enhance their ability to reduce pollutant loads.  The retrofitting of basins will also reduce maintenance, mainly the need to mow. 

9. "Developing green infrastructure master plans for an entire site or neighborhood"

Friday, May 8th from 10AM-12NOON; via Webex webinar

Many communities have installed a green infrastructure demonstration project.  This workshop helps attendees build upon that individual project to create master plans for an entire site, municipal complex, school ground, corporate complex, or a neighborhood.  The master plan goes beyond managing stormwater with green infrastructure and incorporates a wide range of amenities. 

10. "Using green infrastructure to promote climate resiliency"

Friday, May 22nd from 10AM-12NOON; via Webex webinar

Climate changes, including rising sea level, more intense storms, and longer periods of drought between storms, can increase stormwater runoff.  Green infrastructure practices can be used to minimize these impacts and promote climate resiliency.  This workshop will discuss opportunities for green infrastructure to mitigate the effects of climate change as well as the design considerations that must be made to combat changing rainfall patterns and sea level rise.

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Resources

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Contacts

Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences
Extension Specialist in Water Resources
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program
14 College Farm Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 848-932-5711/Fax:732-932-8644
obropta@envsci.rutgers.edu

Hollie DiMuro
Project Coordinator
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program
14 College Farm Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 848-932-6728/Fax: 732-932-8644
hollie.dimuro@rutgers.edu

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Water Resources Program  at Rutgers NJAES