Peer Learning with Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange

This introductory course will survey several key areas in the interdisciplinary and cross-sector work of GSI: equity, climate resilience, planning, funding, regulations, design, maintenance, monitoring and performance. Throughout the course, participants will also be able to consider when and where blue, gray and/or green stormwater infrastructure is appropriate based on local contexts. Life cycles and case studies will be provided at the GSI program, project, and/or demonstration project levels throughout the course. Members of the Exchange will be guest facilitators and speakers so that participants can connect with experienced GSI practitioners. As a final course assignment, participants will design a GSI program, project or demonstration project that they could advocate for within their local contexts. Virtual meetings are 90 minutes on Wednesdays starting at 10am pacific / 1pm eastern: 9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13, 11/27, and 12/11.

This course is organized around the Exchange’s seven Equity Goals and four identified types of equity (i.e., identity, power, process, spatial). The course pays particular attention to three of the Equity Goals: Internal Readiness (1), Centering Community (2), and Benefits-Drive Project Development (3) while providing opportunities to engage with the other four goals. The course design includes two major components. The first half of the course will focus on building culture and skills, with particular attention to knowledge of the three prioritized Equity Goals. The second half of the course will broaden the scope to all seven Equity Goals. The second half will also support contextual individual and/or group work for practical applications and collaboration for enhanced equitable outcomes within local GSI contexts. As a final course assignment, participants will have a variety of ways to show their learning (e.g, write an article/blog, design an equity-focused GSI program, or develop an equity-centered activity to facilitate with peers or within the community). Meetings are 120 minutes on Wednesdays starting at 10am pacific / 1pm eastern: 9/11, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, and 12/4.