Thrive Regional Partnership, in collaboration with the Open Space Institute, is launching the Resilient Communities pilot program, designed to engage residents across the tri-state region in building nature-based solutions that address environmental challenges and enhance quality of life, especially in underserved areas.
From intense summer heat to increased severe weather such as flooding and tornadoes, communities across the region and beyond are experiencing the impacts of a changing environment.
Through community engagement and planning with the environment in mind, people can work together to lessen these hazardous impacts and support basic community needs such as clean air and water, access to food, and shelter from storms.
Thanks to generous funders, the Merck Family Foundation and the Footprint Foundation, the Resilient Communities program is offered at no cost to participating communities.
Any group of community stakeholders, such as residents of a city, town, county, or neighborhood, in the tri-state, 16-county Thrive region is welcome to apply. Organizations such as nonprofits and anchor institutions (churches, schools, libraries) who convene community stakeholders are eligible and encouraged to organize these groups
Participants can expect a hands-on, 12-month program in the community, alongside experts in environmental science, planning, and placemaking, that empowers them to develop nature-based solutions that support the future of the place they call home.
The result is a resident-led plan for environmental solutions in the community, and an opportunity to receive seed funding to kickstart the first phase or project of the community plan.
To learn how to participate in Resilient Communities, visit https://www.thriveregionalpartnership.org/projects/resilient-communities-program.