Groundwork USA

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

Who Has Access to Clean Water? Spoiler: Not everyone! Water is essential for drinking, sanitation, growing food, and sustaining ecosystems. Yet, across the U.S., water equity remains a growing crisis. ✅ In Colorado, stormwater runoff is polluting Bear Creek, a source for drinking water and habitat for wildlife, with harmful chemicals, parasites, and trash. Groundwork Denver is taking action through its Water Program, a community-led initiative to restore Bear Creek and protect water quality for nearby neighborhoods. By testing water, monitoring pollution, and providing educational resources, they’re helping reduce contaminants and stormwater runoff—ensuring cleaner, healthier and safer water for all. Read their story and learn how you can take action to protect water in your own community. https://lnkd.in/gxGA2qJV #UrbanWaters #WorldWaterDay

Join us next week for an Urban Waters Learning Network webinar with leaders at the forefront of community science efforts in their neighborhoods. In this session, we’ll dive into case studies of effective air and water quality testing, monitoring contaminants in drinking water, and how communities are actively engaged in data gathering to find effective, sustainable solutions. Featured Speakers: ✔️ La’Veesha Rollins, Executive Director, Concerned Citizens of Charles City County (Virginia) ✔️Kennedy Moore, State Policy Coordinator, The Water Collaborative of New Orleans & EPA Urban Waters Ambassador ✔️Javier Cardenas, Green Team Coordinator & Earth Lab Educator, Groundwork San Diego - Chollas Creek Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts and gain actionable strategies for your own community science initiatives. Save your spot now— https://lnkd.in/ejf-8hSA #communityscience #worldwaterday #urbanwaters

Our latest edition of Roots to Resilience is here! 📢 This newsletter from our Nonprofit Brownfields Assistance Program is packed with resources, events, and inspiring stories to help nonprofits of all sizes integrate land reuse strategies into their mission-driven work. From must-attend events to get-started videos—this issue has it all! Check it out here! #brownfields #newsletter #getstarted #RootsToResilience

Across the U.S., more than 450,000 brownfields—vacant, often contaminated sites—sit neglected, posing challenges for surrounding communities. But these sites hold incredible potential to become parks, community centers, green spaces, and local businesses that benefit neighborhoods. 🌱 At Groundwork, we’ve seen firsthand how communities can lead the way in turning blight into blooming spaces that also create jobs, improve health, and give residents the power to shape their own neighborhoods. Is there a #brownfield in your area waiting for its second chance? Check out our latest video about the potential of brownfield transformation and get inspired to start your journey today! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ePCH4phu #landreuse #communitytransformation #technicalassistance