Earlier this week, the Cities of Poulsbo, Renton, Lake Forest Park, Ellensburg, and Walla Walla were recognized as prominent leaders of urban forestry initiatives. How inspiring it is to see Washington’s local communities promote climate resiliency within urban spaces! These are some great, actionable examples of addressing urban heat trap issues discussed by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz two weeks ago. Read the full stories of how these communities are recognized:  • Renton, Lake Forest Park, Ellensburg and Walla Walla: https://lnkd.in/eXzXRW8s • City of Poulsbo receives $46,000 grant from the DNR urban forest program: https://lnkd.in/egST4XNe

The Public Works Board (PWB) convened in beautiful Winthrop, WA and enjoyed an informative presentation by Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz and Policy Advisor Michael Liang pertaining to tree equity and urban forestry here in the Evergreen State! Learn more about tree equity and find scores for your community using this link: www.treeequityscore.org

Interested in learning more about the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) Statewide Small Works Roster? Register for the next CAEC Pro Webinar (September 26, 2024, 10:00 - 11:30 am). Register by clicking this link: https://lnkd.in/duZXUFDc

The Public Works Board (PWB) appreciates local news outlet coverage of recently announced construction funding awards. Special thanks to the Columbia Basin Herald, My Bellingham Now, NonStop Local Tri-Cities and Yakima, and The Chronicle for showcasing how PWB awards fund essential infrastructure projects among their local communities. Read the full stories by clicking the links below: City of Bellingham – My Bellingham Now: https://lnkd.in/dDZdJvUp City of Ephrata – Columbia Basin Herald: https://lnkd.in/db6RkcKr Lewis County – The Chronicle: https://lnkd.in/dZHVqtbk Yakima, Benton, and Walla Walla Counties – NonStop Local Tri-Cities and Yakima: https://lnkd.in/dh9iGKkp

The Public Works Board (PWB) members and staff are excited to award funding ($175 million) in support of 51 infrastructure projects across Washington!

Check out upcoming webinars and trainings offered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)! Upcoming Webinar: Climate Change and Financial Strength of Water Sector Utilities Thursday, September 12th | 2:00 - 3:30 pm EST The webinar will feature perspectives from members of the Climate Finance Workgroup representing the water utility, credit rating, investor, and insurance sectors. Register Here: https://lnkd.in/dQUX6TH5 Interested in Learning More about WaterTA? Webinar: Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) - Helping Communities Address Their Water Challenges  Thursday, September 10th | 2:00 pm EST This webinar will highlight two WaterTA initiatives: Engineering Support and Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap. For more information on WaterTA, please visit www.epa.gov/WaterTA  Register Here: https://lnkd.in/dCQdWEBe Upcoming trainings about technical assistance with wastewater are also available. How to Prepare Your Wastewater Utility for Disasters  Join WICRD for a free webinar on how to prepare your wastewater utility for disasters! This webinar will demonstrate how to use EPA’s new Small System Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) Checklist for Wastewater Utilities and the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Template for Wastewater Utilities. The webinar will be offered two times. Feel free to register for the webinar that best fits your schedule:  August 28, 2024; 2pm - 3:30pm ET | Ice Storm and Cybersecurity Scenarios | Register Here: https://lnkd.in/dtv6RPX9 September 19, 2024; 1pm - 2:30pm ET | Flood and Cybersecurity Scenarios | Register Here: https://lnkd.in/dshYPFUJ Climate Resilience Training for Water Sector Utilities in the Four Corners Region  September 18, 2024; 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MT Dolores Public Lands Office (29211 CO-184 Dolores, CO 81323)  WICRD's CRWU and EPA Region 8 will be hosting a free, in-person training for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities (including Tribal utilities) in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Utility representatives will gain a greater awareness of the impacts of climate change on water utility assets and operations, available web-based tools for conducting a climate risk assessment, and resources for funding adaptive strategies that build resilience. CEUs will be available for operators from Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.   Register by September 11, 2024.  Register Here: https://lnkd.in/dbh57_gK