Groundwork USA

Watch Our Latest Webinar Now! 🍿 In this Silos to Synergy webinar, we explored how communities are turning local air and water quality data into real action—tackling pollution, revitalizing land, and improving public health. Our expert panel shared strategies and a toolkit to help you launch community science projects where you live. Check it out!

In Jacksonville, the LaVilla Link of the Emerald Trail now features a striking 1,100-foot mural—a vibrant storytelling piece honoring the LaVilla and Brooklyn neighborhoods. ✅ Created by local artist, Overstreet Ducasse, this mural was shaped by community voices, weaving their histories and experiences into the landscape like a pop-up storybook of the past. ✅ Public art is more than decoration—it deepens connections between people and place, turning shared spaces into reflections of identity and resilience. By integrating art into environmental projects, we create spaces that are not only sustainable but deeply rooted in the communities they serve. check out the video here! https://lnkd.in/dngxU-cs Groundwork Jacksonville #CommunityArt #Placemaking #EmeraldTrail

Addressing the challenges of extreme weather—like flooding, heat, and hurricanes—requires a united effort. Groundwork New Orleans, in partnership with 20+ grassroots organizations, has taken a huge step forward by creating a shared Green Infrastructure dashboard. This innovative tool allows the city to map and track green infrastructure projects, like rain gardens, permeable pavers, and tree planting. ✅ The dashboard visualizes critical data on redlining, flooding risk, and heat, helping to guide planning efforts while showcasing the incredible work community organizations are leading to make New Orleans greener and more resilient. Check out the map in action! https://lnkd.in/gUYfEHE4

Art has the power to transform how we see and care for our environment. 🌎 From murals on storm drains to powerful films and performances, creative expression can raise awareness, celebrate culture, and inspire action for climate resilience. Explore how communities are using art to spotlight environmental challenges and spark change in this interactive StoryMap from the Urban Waters Learning Network! 👉 https://lnkd.in/ddWJjbG6 #CommunityArt #Artivism #UrbanWaters

Our latest newsletter just dropped — your monthly dose of inspiration, creativity, and real community-led impact. 🌱 This month, we’re spotlighting how Groundwork affiliates are using nature-based solutions to manage flooding and pollution, how New Orleans is mapping out resilience with a new, collaborative tool, and— with #WorldWaterDay coming up on March 22—we’re sharing simple ways you can take action to help ensure clean, safe water for everyone. Dive in, get inspired, and see what’s possible when people come together to make change. https://lnkd.in/g5RXZ3JT #news #themonthlygroundup #urbanwaters

Trust, transparency, and authenticity are essential to sustainable and impactful land transformation efforts that deliver the social, environmental, and health benefits communities seek. Again and again, we’ve seen that while land reuse projects can spark powerful change, their success depends on a strong foundation of trust. For many organizations, this begins with deep listening and designing projects that directly respond to residents’ needs. We spoke with leaders in the field about what it takes to build trust, engage communities, and drive successful, community-led land reuse projects. Check out this interview here: https://lnkd.in/eeM3GC5D ✅ If you're looking to transform a brownfield into a thriving community space, our Brownfields Technical Assistance team is here to help. Applications for one-on-one support are open now—learn more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/eSwvymAM #Communityled #brownfields #landreuse #technicalassistance

From frequent flooding to extended drought, extreme weather is becoming the new normal. In Jacksonville, FL, even small storms flood streets and homes. In San Diego, CA, long dry spells are suddenly interrupted by intense downpours — causing damage and overwhelming local waterways. Groundwork Affiliates are stepping up with local solutions for local challenges. Groundwork San Diego - Chollas Creek is helping residents prepare by retrofitting homes with drought-tolerant landscaping, rain gardens, and water capture systems — keeping over 28,000 gallons of stormwater out of drains and conserving 3,000+ gallons per home! Education is a key piece of the puzzle. As Bruce Strouble Ph.D., Senior Manager of Community Preparedness Projects at Groundwork USA, puts it: “What often gets neglected in building climate resilience is adaptive capacity — the ability of residents in vulnerable communities to fully understand how climate changes are impacting them and drive discussions about the resources they need to adapt.” Learn more about what's needed to build flood-resilient communities. https://lnkd.in/gCcy3TtE #ClimateResilience #UrbanWaters #WorldWaterDay 

📢 Groundwork Ohio River Valley is raising funds to support small-scale, high-impact projects like rain barrels and raised garden beds—tools that help Cincinnati residents conserve water, grow fresh food, and improve air quality.  To amplify this work, Institute for Sustainable Communities has generously agreed to match all donations 4 to 1, up to $5,000—meaning every dollar donated goes four times as far! 🙌 Funds will provide materials like soil, seeds, wood, and rain barrels, and support Groundwork’s Green Team youth in building and installing these resources with community members across the city. Check out the campaign and see how your support can help today! ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dU2T5-gx

⏱️ Happening TODAY! What does it take to turn local data into real change? Join us TODAY at 1 PM ET | 10 AM PT to find out! We’re diving into real-world examples of how communities are using science to track pollution, secure funding, and drive real solutions for cleaner land, air, and water. Don’t miss out—register now and join the conversation! 👉 https://lnkd.in/ejf-8hSA

New to Brownfields? We’re Here to Help. 🤝 Brownfield revitalization and land reuse projects offer exciting opportunities to transform underutilized and contaminated properties into thriving community spaces. From parks and urban farms to affordable housing and nature-based infrastructure, these projects address critical issues like food security, disaster resilience, cleaner air and water, and more. Getting started can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our Brownfields Technical Assistance team is here to help you turn your vision into reality. If you're ready to take the next step, applications for one-on-one support are open now—let’s get to work! Learn more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/dJdE-qns #brownfieldcurious #landreuse #apply #technicalassistance