David Hess’ Post

I am reading the State of the Birrarung (Yarra) and its Parklands report by Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability. My first take is that it is a good report full of grim tidyings. It is five-years since the last report (that’s the legislated cycle). One quote on page 90 stuck out to me on my skimming:  ‘There has been a nearly three-fold decrease between 2019 and 2022 in the number of hours worked within the river corridor by environmental volunteers.’ That is stark and a disappointment, particularly as one of the principles of the Yarra (Birrarung) Act is community involvement: '(2) Community consultation and participation should play an essential and effective role in the protection, improvement and promotion of Yarra River land.’ p. 13. That something is not working with the way the implementation of the Yarra Strategic Plan is structured is one thought. That’s the purpose of this report to highlight where things are going wrong so they can be fixed. It is serving its legislated function. The first report by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association on the Burndap Birrarung Burndam Umako (Yarra Strategic Plan) highlighted issues around community consultation. https://lnkd.in/gKypGbZN Bruce Lindsay Janet Bolitho Jane Doolan Chris Chesterfield Melbourne Water Dr Erin O'Donnell Scott Rawlings Dr Gillian Sparkes AM Christopher Balmford https://lnkd.in/g2tCU2Fw

Ruxandra, one of ÎntreVecini's Community builders, shared with her organisation's innovative method to foster environmental sustainability and vibrant urban spaces by empowering neighbours and supporting long-lasting community initiatives. Read her story: https://ow.ly/3Upl50SpYyy

By passing H.R. 7525, we can empower #SpecialDistricts to implement vital environmental projects, strengthen community resilience, and ensure equitable access to essential resources in our communities. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gqq4ZWzj #HR7525 #SpecialDistricts #GrantAccessibility #CommunityDevelopment #VoteYes

Once a climate-vulnerable informal settlement, #BuenosAires' Rodrigo Bueno is now a thriving & resilient urban community🌳🏘️👫🏽 WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities looks at how empowering residents can help transform informal settlements into a #ClimateResilient communities: https://bit.ly/3WQNsgT

Interested in equitable development, anti-displacement strategies, and avoiding green gentrification? Then check out these two new resources from the Trust for Public Land and River Network: Resource #1: "Great parks should not uproot communities: Green gentrification risk factors and anti-displacement options” (https://lnkd.in/ebhcyxEY). Written by national expert Alessandro Rigolon and published by the Trust for Public Land, the report addresses two major questions: what are the risk factors for green gentrification, and what strategies and tools are most effective in avoiding displacement. Resource #2: "An Equitable Development Toolkit: Community-Centered Solutions for Green Gentrification and Displacement" (https://lnkd.in/emhkHy9Y). Funded by the National Park Service and published by the River Network, the toolkit provides important definitions, case studies, and numerous strategies that groups can apply in their greening projects. #parks, #urbangreening, #communitydevelopment #displacement #antidisplacement #greengentrification #toolkit #urbanplanning

Swipe to learn more about how action and innovation can drive positive change for our environment ➡️ Explore how you can support similar initiatives in your community! #PeatForestRestoration #Conservation #EcosytemRestoration

🌳 Durham Residents – Your Voice Matters! Help Shape Our Community's Green Future! 🌍 The Equitable Green Infrastructure (EGI) Program is back and ready to invest in projects that bring green spaces, cleaner air, and safer streets to neighborhoods across Durham. By working directly with residents, the EGI Program aims to address environmental challenges while improving quality of life, especially in historically underserved areas. Projects funded through EGI range from planting street trees and building compost sites to adding bike lanes and improving sidewalks—all designed to make our city greener, healthier, and more resilient. 🌳🚲♻️ Your voice matters! We need input from Durham residents to ensure these projects reflect the community’s priorities. Calling on all Durham-based community organizations! 📣  Help us spread the word by sharing this survey with your members and networks. Let’s collaborate to build a healthier, safer, and more resilient Durham for everyone. ➡️ Take the Survey: https://bit.ly/EngageEGI Find out more about EGI: https://lnkd.in/emS8dW-Q Also be on the lookout for EGI community engagement events near you. #SustainableDurham #GreenInfrastructure #EnvironmentalJustice #CommunityEngagement #DurhamNC #Sustainability #Equity #localgov #environment #vote #infrastructure #bullcity #Durham

Forest Trends' Communities and Territorial Governance Initiative is proud to have contributed to this vital publication on responsible land-based investments. As businesses face increasing legal obligations for human rights and environmental due diligence, effective community engagement is essential to prevent costly conflicts. Discover how improving this engagement can lead to more sustainable outcomes! https://lnkd.in/gnz5bH7C

How do equity, diversity, and inclusion fit into municipal service delivery? From improving public safety to enhancing the delivery of services like waste collection, drinking water and recreation, these principles can help you build a thriving community. Explore our factsheet to learn more: https://lnkd.in/g7mFK4Rr 

Does your community resonate with you? At our Future Workshops in the summer, Liane Hartley from MEND stated that she felt our communities do not resonate with our human needs. How can we best build communities in keeping with people and the environment? For insights from our workshop panellists, download our report here: https://ow.ly/ECjf50Qp50g #phoenixsustainable #communities #environment