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Empowering Communities: The RainSmart Initiative

January 16, 2025 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time

Presentation | Video Recording

Urban areas face escalating challenges concerning water quality and stormwater management due to rapid urbanization and increasing impervious surfaces. This webinar explored the collaborative endeavor between the City of Chattanooga, TN and WaterWays, a local non-profit organization, through the RainSmart Initiative. This initiative aims to enhance community engagement and sustainable water management practices by incentivizing residents to adopt environmentally friendly measures on their properties. Through the implementation of rain barrels, rain gardens, native plantings, and creek-friendly yard practices, attendees heard how residents actively participated in mitigating water-related environmental issues. The presentation included the challenges and hurdles facing this endeavor, from the outreach needed to educate participants, to challenges with maintenance of Best Management Practices (BMPs) on residential properties. The webinar highlighted the pivotal role of public-private partnerships in achieving sustainable urban water management objectives. This webinar was brought to SESWA members FREE thanks to the generous support of SESWA’s Communications Sponsors!

Presenters:

Erik Hancock, Public Information Specialist
City of Chattanooga, TN

Haley Hamblen, Environmental Specialist
City of Chattanooga, TN

Rosy Harpe, Sustainable Landscape Ecologist
WaterWays

*SESWA does not offer continuing education credits for free webinars.