Another month of learning circles has come and gone while the summer season is coming to a close across our network. Near the end of each month a posting will be shared that summarizes what the Learning Circles have been doing together. The upcoming months may change based on the planning between Learning Circles. Exchange members are welcome to drop in on any Learning Circles if an upcoming topic is of interest. The Community Calendar is the best place to find Zoom links and dates (use your member login to access the calendar and meeting links). If you’d like to be added to a specific Learning Circles email roster and calendar, contact Veronica (veronica@giexchange.org).

GSI Pictures and Videos!: On a recent trip to Michigan, I visited a weir step installation in Valley Woods Nature Preserve (City of Southfield) and a Rain Garden (Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor). At the bottom of this post are pictures and videos.

Asset Management: In August, each member presented 1-2 images of an asset in their portfolio (e.g., best, worst, before, after, most interesting). The group then discussed the various asset examples. In September, we will discuss hand off procedures (i.e., what worked, what did not work, contracts, security, hold backs, etc.).

Book Group: This month we wrapped up Connect > Innovate > Scale Up: How Networks Create Systems Change by Plastrik, Taylor, and Cleveland (2022). For September and October we will be reading Charleston: Race, Water, and the Coming Storm by Susan Crawford (2023). For September the discussions will cover through chapter 5. And in October, we will discuss chapter 6 to the end.

Innovations in Design: In August, we had a presentation on GSI Outlet Structure Weirs from Philadelphia. In October, there will be a presentation on inlets from Portland, Oregon.

Innovations in Funding & Financing: In August, we had a presentation from Baltimore about lessons learned in their funding context over the last two decades with a stormwater fee implementation. In September, Washington, DC will present on financing GI through their DC Green Bank.

Leadership: In August, we did a value-based activity during the meeting and discussed how values relate to leadership. Before the September meeting, members can pick one or more of these free tests to try out: (1) 16 Personalities, (2) Changemaker Quiz: What Kind of Changemaker Are You?, (3) HIGH5 Strengths Finder, or (4) VIA Character Strengths Survey. Each tests usually asks for an email so you can choose to use an email that you prefer for these online tests/tools. We will discuss what members learned about themselves and how the test results can support their approach to leadership.

New Member: This is the first year for a New Member Learning Circle! In July, the city of New Orelans walked us through their Interactive Guide To Green Infrastructure and Climate Resilient City Tool. In September, Toronto Canada will present their experience with regulations and the other cities on the call will discuss their approach to regulation.

Maximizing GSI Performance: In August, members brought 1-2 images to present how they measure infiltration. The group then discussed the various practices and methods that are used to measure infiltration. In September, we will discuss data that was collected by learning circle members that includes stormwater flow, water quality, infiltration, plant health, plus how data is analyzed and communicated.

Placing Equity at the Center: In August, we used these two questions to generate topics for the year: (1) what are you able to give to this learning circle? (e.g., resources, experience, presentation, topic discussion, knowledge, etc.) and (2) what would you like to receive from this learning circle? Members of this circle are interested in hearing how each city/municipality is centering equity in their community. In September, three cities will present 1-2 pics, slides or resources that show their equity work in practice, and this can include practices that are not working well (September cities: Boulder, CO; Grand Rapids, MI; and Washington, DC).

Planning & Resilience: In August, we gathered topics from the group to plan for the year, which included urban heat islands, flood resiliency, climate gentrification, and collaboration across/within departments related to the structures of organizations and how plans are implemented. Watch for these and other topics to be scheduled in the coming months. For September, we will discuss the Exchange’s Climate Resilience Resources Guide: Part 1 which will be used to schedule topics for the year related to gaps in the guide that need further development. The current interests and needs of members will also be incorporated.

Valley Woods Nature Preserve in City of Southfield, MI (short video & google map)

Rain Garden in Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, MI (short video & google map)

Near the end of each month a posting will be shared that summarizes what the Learning Circles have been doing together. This will include topics discussed, resources shared and what’s coming up in the next month. The upcoming months may change based on the co-chair planning between Learning Circles.

Members are welcome to drop in on extra Learning Circles if an upcoming topic is of interest. The Community Calendar is the best place to find Zoom links and dates (use your member login to access). If you’d like to be added to a specific Learning Circles roster/calendar so it shows up on your personal calendar too, contact Veronica (veronica@giexchange.org).

Save the Dates!: We will have an all-circle virtual gathering for members October 30 to November 2. The programming will relate to all members. Learning Circles that usually meet at these times will be canceled and the circles that meet later in November will decide on if they will meet or cancel. The program is still in the planning stages but we plan to offer each session twice so that there are more opportunities for members to participate based on their schedule.

• Monday October 30th and Wednesday November 1st: 10am-12pm Pacific / 1pm-3pm Eastern
• Tuesday October 31th & Thursday November 2nd: 11am-1pm Pacific / 2pm-4pm Eastern

Resources shared: these were resources that were shared throughout our informal show-and-tell and some are resources that came up in discussions.

• Podcast: ASCE Plot Points Podcast (American Society of Civil Engineers)
• Podcast: Future Cities podcast and episodes Future of Urban Hydrology and Environmental Justice and Green Infrastructure
• Resource: Green Stormwater Infrastructure Assistance Programs Guidebook: A Tool for Managers, Planners, and Other Agency Staff to Update or Create a Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Assistance Program (focus: western Washington state)
• Video: Watch from min 5:15 to about min 8:00 for an example of measuring a pond easily with the The Jim Farkas Method (Video: Wet Ponds – North Carolina DEQ)
• Pictures: A couple members shared recent trip pictures visiting green infrastructure sites, which included a couple breweries and these two images which are from the Karens Minde Axis Renewal Project in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Karens Minde Axis renewal project provides a space for cultural and social activities as well as the capacity to delay and handle a cloudburst event. New York City has been collaborating with Copenhagen to develop cloudburst solutions to improve the City’s resiliency and community investment goals. Visit the State of Green site for form information about GSI in Denmark.

Asset Management Learning Circle: In July, we gathered topics from the group to plan for the year, so watch for these to be scheduled in the coming months. For August, members will bring (or email ahead to Veronica) 1-2 images of an asset that is the best, worst, before, after, or most interesting green infrastructure asset. Everyone will talk for a few minutes about why they brought that asset. We will discuss these all after everyone has a chance to share their asset pictures.

Book Group Learning Circle: This is the first year for a Book/Reading Group Learning Circle! This month we discussed Chapters 3 and 4 in Connect > Innovate > Scale Up: How Networks Create Systems Change by Plastrik, Taylor, and Cleveland (2022). Next month we will read the last two chapters and we are thinking about reading Charleston: Race, Water, and the Coming Storm by Susan Crawford (2023) or a series or journal articles starting in September.

Innovations in Design Learning Circle: In August, we will have a short presentation on weirs and outlets from Philadepliha and use this to discuss how other cities design their weirs and outlets. In ​​September, we will continue with a presentation on outlet and right of way projects in Portland, Oregon. In October there will be a presentation on inlets from Portland as well. The topic schedule may adjust as we go, so watch for the next monthly post for updates.

Innovations in Funding & Financing Learning Circle: In July, we discussed a couple resources which included (1) Financing Green Stormwater and Natural Infrastructure with Clean Water State Revolving Funds, (2) What it Means to Support Equitable State Investments in Water Infrastructure, and the (3) Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Funding Opportunities for Puget Sound Recovery. In August, we will have a presentation from Baltimore about lessons learned in their funding context.

Leadership Learning Circle: This is the first year for a Leadership Learning Circle! In July, we continued to plan for the year. In August we will do a value-based activity during the meeting. Before the August meetings, members will pick one or more of these free tests to try out: (1) 16 Personalities, (2) Changemaker Quiz: What Kind of Changemaker Are You?, (3) HIGH5 Strengths Finder, or (4) VIA Character Strengths Survey. Each tests usually asks for an email so you can choose to use an email that you prefer for these online tests/tools. We will discuss what members learned about themselves and how the activity and tests support their approach to leadership.

New Member Learning Circle: This is the first year for a New Member Learning Circle! In July, the city of New Orelans walked us through their Interactive Guide To Green Infrastructure and Climate Resilient City Tool. In September, Toronto Canada will present their experience with regulations and the other cities on the call will discuss their approach to regulation.

Maximizing GSI Performance Learning Circle: In July, we gathered topics from the group to plan for the year, so watch for these to be scheduled in the coming months. For August, members will bring (or email ahead to Veronica) 1-2 images of how they measure infiltration. Everyone will talk for a few minutes about their infiltration approach. Then we will discuss the various practices and methods that are used to measure infiltration.

Placing Equity at the Center Learning Circle: In July, we started to discuss the Tools for Planning, Engagement, and Governance resource series. In August we will discuss the next resource in this series: Community-Driven Engagement Processes. Prior to the August meeting, members can also browse these Exchange resources that will relate to the reading series: (1) Centering Equity in Green Infrastructure, (2) Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange Equity Statement of Purpose, and (3) Equity Guide for Green Stormwater Infrastructure Practitioners.

Planning & Resilience Learning Circle: In July, we had a show-and-tell with this article: Why Go Green? Comparing Rationales and Planning Criteria for Green Infrastructure in U.S. City Plans by Hoover et al. (2023; Open Access). In August, we will also gather topics from the group for the year.