Building Resilience in Rural Communities Speaker Series

Major disasters are occurring at an alarming rate and Vermonters are calling for action. In response to the extreme weather events Vermont faced in 2023, Rebuild by Design released the “Atlas of Disaster: Vermont,” highlighting 17 federally declared disasters and advocating for long-term infrastructure funding. Join us for an educational series to equip legislators and communities with knowledge for equitable climate adaptation.

Rebuild by Design is working with local Vermont organizations to co-host a virtual multi-part educational series targeted at educating current and incoming legislators, and building local capacity and knowledge to equitably adapt to extreme weather events in Vermont. Panels will feature local leaders, national experts, and legislators to educate, respond to the questions we have heard, and give opportunities to local organizations to showcase their work. 

Download the speaker series PDF here>>

Panel #3: REGIONAL PLANNING AND LEVERAGING NATURE AS CLIMATE INFRASTRUCTURE

This is the third panel of the Building Resilience in Rural Communities Speaker Series. Join local and national partners to hear relevant case studies, take a deep dive into current resiliences gaps and learn how our communities can address them. Topics include:

  • Managing Upstream Flooding and Highlighting Regional Planning Efforts – Kevin Geiger, TRORC 
  • Supporting State-level Flood Resilience Strategies in the U.S. – Gian Tavares, American Flood Coalition
  • Leveraging Nature as Climate Infrastructure in VTMichele Braun, Friends of the Winooski River
  • Leveraging Nature as Climate Infrastructure Nationally – Vincent Lee, Arup
To download and share the event flyer, click here>>
 
 

PAST EVENTS

Session #1: Navigating VT Climate Risks & Building Resilience in Rural Communities

This is the first panel of the Building Resilience in Rural Communities Speaker Series. Topics include:

  • Vermont’s Climate Risks – Johanna Lawton, Rebuild by Design
  • Centering Environmental Justice Communities – Lena Greenberg and Jess Laporte, Community Resilience Organizations (CROs)
  • Designing Collaborative Outreach Processes with Communities – Amanda Gustin, Barre City Councilor
  • Key Strategies for Rural Resilience – Megan Lawson, Headwaters Economics
  • Moderator – Jessica Savage, VCRD

You can find the recording here>>

Session #2: Flood Insurance and Housing

This is the second panel of the Building Resilience in Rural Communities Speaker Series. Topics include:

  • National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 101 Rebecca Pfieffer, VT DEC Watershed Management Division
  • Housing Affordability & Home Protections – Kelly Hamshaw, University of Vermont
  • Best Practices for Housing Buyouts – Anna Weber, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
  • Moderator – Jacob Hemmerick, VT Department of Housing & Community Development

You can find the recording here>>

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