Image Credit: Cameron Blaylock/Rebuild by Design
NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONs:
2026 NYS ADAPTATION & innovation awards
New York State Adaptation & innovation Awards
The NYS Adaptation and Innovation Awards celebrates resilience projects and programs, which prepare communities and ecosystems for increasing extreme weather in New York State.
As the risk of extreme weather hazards continues to grow, New York needs community-driven adaptation interventions that improve their communities and reduce their risk. We will celebrate projects that exemplify the Principles of Resilient Infrastructure, collectively developed by members of the Practitioners Network to guide infrastructure investment. Submissions will contribute to an online library of projects showcasing/multi-hazard, multi-benefit resilient infrastructure that enhance communities and ecosystems.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Nominations will be assessed by following criteria:
Multi-Benefit Solutions: Provides additional benefits (e.g. health, economic, social) to the community beyond its primary adaptation purpose.
Community-Driven Design: The community served by the infrastructure or program helped to envision its creation.
Innovation: Incorporates most up-to-date science, along with creative design approaches, innovative partnerships, funding models, outreach strategies, and other forward-thinking methods to reduce risks from hazards.
Projects will also be evaluated for their consistency with the Principles of Resilient Infrastructure.
why nominate?
Visibility: Projects will be seen by governments, residents, and researchers, funders and more!
Collaborations: Share work to spur the opportunity for new programs and partnerships
Inform the field of resilience: Best practices examples will help communities envision the kinds of projects they can advocate for and develop. Lessons learned can be applied to future projects.
Celebrate: Take a moment to appreciate the wins in this challenging but critical work!
eligibility
Anyone is encouraged to nominate projects and programs on public or private property in New York State. Projects with private or public funding are eligible. Projects must have broken ground to be eligible. Nominations due by June 30th
about the network
The New York State Adaptation Practitioners Network brings together non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and community-based organizations to advise state government on adaptation policy implementation. Working to connect practitioners, share knowledge within the professional practice, and identify best tools and resources for adaptation. Learn more>>>
Questions? Email info@rebuildbydesign.org (Neeyati Johnson, Network Manager)
2025 WINNERS
WINNER CLIMATE ADAPTATION PROGRAM: Long Island Community Coalition/Hunters Point Community Coalition
The Hunters Point North Vision Plan for Resiliency is a community‑led blueprint to transform the East River waterfront in northern Hunters Point into a more resilient, equitable, and connected neighborhood. It was developed via a series of public workshops, a community site walk, and stakeholder engagement beginning in late 2023 and culminating with its release in May 2024. The plan’s core goals are to proactively address climate risk, strengthen ecological and infrastructural resilience, and support long‑term social and economic vitality for the area.
LOCATION: Long Island City, NY
WINNER MID SIZE COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE: Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
The Cayuga Creek Stream & Floodplain Restoration, led by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and partners, transformed a degraded, channelized creek by rerouting it through its historic floodplain and protecting 30 acres of land. The project reduces chronic neighborhood flooding, improves water quality, and restores diverse habitats using native plantings, root wads, riffles, and vernal pools. It remains the only floodplain reconnection project of its kind in Western New York, shaped through extensive community engagement and long-term stewardship planning.
LOCATION: Niagara, NY
WINNER SMALL COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE: Ausable Freshwater Center
The East Branch Restoration Plan restores the East Branch Ausable River, addressing decades of damage from 19th-century logging. Thirteen science-based projects improve stream health, reduce erosion, and boost flood resilience for nearby communities. Climate-ready culverts, riparian habitat recovery, and native plant propagation also support long-term ecological health and hands-on learning opportunities.
LOCATION: Town of Jay, NY
WINNER LARGE COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE: ECOncrete & Field Operations
Hudson River Park’s 5.5-acre Gansevoort Peninsula transforms a former sanitation pier into Manhattan’s first public beach and salt marsh, creating a new model for resilient urban shorelines. The park integrates recreation, art, and ecology with features like a multi-use ballfield, boardwalks, tidal pools, and David Hammons’ Day’s End sculpture. Native dunes, reef balls, and oyster habitats enhance biodiversity and buffer against flooding, while new waterfront “get-downs” bring visitors closer to the river. Gansevoort Peninsula now serves as a living laboratory for climate adaptation and urban ecology along New York’s waterfront.
LOCATION: New York City, NY
BUILT TO INSPIRE: MORE NYS PROJECTS WE ADMIRE
INTERIM FLOOD PROTECTION MEASURES
New York City, NY
VILLAGE OF SLEEPY HOLLOW CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY
FAR ROCKAWAY LIBRARY
Far Rockaway New York City, NY
FLOOD RECOVERY FUND
BLUE WATER TASK FORCE
Rockaway Beach, New York City, NY
ADIRONDACK AQUATIC ORGANISM PASSAGE PROJECT
Westport, NY
MALT DRIVE PARK
Queens New York City, NY
COMMUNITY CLIMATE AND HEALTH AMBASSADOR YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Bedford Stuyvesant, New York City, NY
CLIMATE STRONG COMMUNITIES NYC
New York City, NY
GOWANUS LOWLANDS
Gowanus New York City, NY
GREEN-WOOD STORMWATER PROJECT
Brooklyn New York City, NY
LIVING BREAK WATERS
Staten Island New York City, NY
RESTORATION OF OUR HUDSON RIVER SALTWATER MARSH
Yonkers, NY
PLANT PELHAM NATIVE
Pelham, NY
SHOREFRONT PARK LIVING SHORELINE AND STREAM RESTORATION
Village of Patchogue, NY
NYCHA SOUTH JAMAICA HOUSES CLOUDBURST PROJECT
South Jamaica New York City, NY
OASIS POP UP
Various Locations New York City, NY
SOUTH BATTERY PARK CITY RESILIENCY PROJECT
South Battery Park City Resiliency Project br />
SOUTH BRONX RESILIENCY HUBS
South Bronx, New York City, NY br />
ROCKLAND PLANNING & LAND USE WITH STUDENTS
Rockland County, NY
NEIGHBORHOOD TREE PLANTING
New York City, NY
WEST POND LIVING SHORELINE
Jamaica Bay, New York City, NY
RESILIENT SCHOOLS & COMMUNITIES CONEY ISLAND
WELLESLEY ISLAND WILDLIFE CROSSING AND ROAD REALIGNMENT
Jefferson County, NY