Groundwork USA

GWUSA Seeks Applicants for Executive Director Position

anjali — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:45:54 +0000

Groundwork USA is looking for applications from qualified candidates for the position of Executive Director. Details about how to apply and the position opening are contained here: 2013 GWUSA ED JOB DESC

If you have further specific questions about the position or the application process, please email: executivedirector@groundworkusa.org.

Groundwork Network’s 2012 Brownfields and Urban Waters Work

anjali — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:21:43 +0000

Groundwork USA documented some of its incredible 2012 brownfield, vacant lot and urban waters projects happening across the country! Check it out here. GWUSA 2012 Brownfields and Urban Waters Projects

The Great Saw Mill River Clean-up Begins!

anjali — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:53:53 +0000

The 2013 “battle” with invasive vines along the Saw Mill River, in the lower Hudson Valley in NY, has begun!

Please join Groundwork Hudson Valley (if you are in the neighborhood) on Sunday, May 11th, from 10 am to 1 pm with their on-going battle against the vines that are killing native trees and taking over the river habitat! Meet at the restoration site at Farragut Avenue and Saw Mill River Road. Hope to see you there!

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendars:

Saturday, March 16 — Vine Cutting
Sunday, April 14 — Vine Cutting
Saturday, May 11 — Great Saw Mill River Clean-up & Riverkeeper Hudson River & Tributaries Clean-up

Check out Groundwork Hudson Valley for more info.

GWUSA in the news – as site visits for potential new Trusts begin

anjali — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:41:49 +0000

Kate O’Brien of GWUSA and Doug Evans of NPS conducted a site visit in Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, one of the communities selected for evaluation to become a new Groundwork Trust. The local newspaper covered their visit – read about it here! GWUSA staff, along with NPS staff, are currently visiting the eight communities selected this year for evaluation (including Lewiston-Auburn) – in New Bedford-Fall River, MA; Atlanta, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Chattanooga, TN; Los Angeles, CA; Indianapolis, IN; and Detroit, MI.

Vado Park and Trail Opens in Dona Ana County, New Mexico

anjali — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:09:08 +0000

Who’s hosting: Groundwork Dona Ana County
When: MAY 10, 2013 at 1:00pm
Where: Holguin Rd. between Vado Elementary and Family Dollar

A trail connecting two communities!
The Vado Park and Trail is utilized by both the Vado and Del Cerro communities. These two communities played an important role in the Vado Project. The residents worked together and identified the need for recreational space in their communities. With Groundwork Dona Ana’s guidance and assistance, this community was able to make the Vado Park and Trail a reality.

Event Overview:
• Hear from the key partners in the Vado Project!
• Interact with the Vado Community!
• Join the Vado Elementary students in a walking relay!
• Have fun!

Check out Groundwork Dona Ana for more info.

GW Denver Wins Wells Fargo Earth Day Grant to improve Bear Creek

anjali — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:57:52 +0000

Groundwork Denver was among the nation’s 64 environmental non-profits to receive an Earth Day 2013 grant award from Wells Fargo – the Environmental Solutions for Communities Grant. GW Denver received $25,000 to improve the Bear Creek watershed in Denver with tree planting, invasive weed removal and education and outreach.

Check out more about Groundwork Denver!

GW Hudson Valley wins EPA Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Grant

anjali — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:57:59 +0000

GW Hudson Valley has been awarded an EPA Brownfields Area-Wide Planning grant, focused on the Lawrence Street neighborhood in Yonkers, NY, and the Putnam Spur Rail Trail project. EPA awarded approximately $4 million in grants to 20 communities across the country to assist with planning for cleanup and reuse of brownfields properties. More than half of the recipients are located in the NEMW region, including sites in IL, IN, IA, MA, NY, OH, PA, VT, and WI, and aims to promote community revitalization by using cleanups to stimulate local economies and protect people’s health and the environment.

Groundwork Model Featured in New Policy Report on Sustainable Community Building

anjali — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:45:10 +0000

GWUSA policy report release flyerThrough the project and program work of Groundwork USA, this report examines the expanding roles and policy influence that community-based organizations play in developing the emergent model of sustainable community building.

Over the past decade, the Groundwork USA Network has established an impressive track record of projects yielding measurable outcomes in underserved neighborhoods. Serving as a new type of green community intermediary, the Groundwork Model connects revitalizations of the physical and social environments by engaging local residents in the ecological stewardship of their neighborhoods.

Learn more about the policy implications of this sustainable community development approach in a new report from our partners at Center for Community Progress:

GWUSA Sustainable Community Building 2013

Through its “on the ground” work in diverse places across the country, the Groundwork Network has also accumulated practical policy and program insights, which are featured in a series of case studies accompanying the report. As these demonstrate, several Trusts have become experts at navigating the complexities of federal and state environmental regulations, local land development processes, and the art of civic engagement and coalition building in distressed neighborhoods. Explore the work of Groundwork Trusts across the country in the areas of brownfields, urban waters and equitable development:

GWUSA Case Study – Brownfields – Lawrence, MA

GWUSA Case Study – Brownfields – Buffalo, NY

GWUSA Case Study – Brownfields – Denver, CO

GWUSA Case Study – Equitable Devt – Somerville, MA

GWUSA Case Study – Equitable Devt – Lawrence, MA

GWUSA Case Study – Equitable Devt – Hudson Valley, NY

GWUSA Case Study – Urban Waters – Anacostia, Washington, DC

GWUSA Case Study – Urban Waters – San Diego, CA

GWUSA Case Study – Urban Waters – Milwaukee, WI

GW Denver to Implement Xcel Energy Settlement for Residents

anjali — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:50:44 +0000

Groundwork Denver is thrilled that WildEarth Guardians and Xcel Energy came to an agreement that will bring maximum benefits to the residents of the Globeville, Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods. Because of this settlement, the residents will have a new park where they can connect with nature, walk, bike and play. At least 140 homes will be insulated, collectively saving $27,000 per year, and a solar PV system will be installed on a public or community building, saving another $3,400 per year. Each of these projects will benefit the residents while also demonstrating a sustainable future for the neighborhoods. GW Denver is honored to have been entrusted by both parties with the funds because of their strong record of accomplishing tangible projects, their history of working in these north Denver neighborhoods, and their fiscal responsibility. GW Denver looks forward to continuing to work with both parties, the neighborhood residents, and partners at the City of Denver to accomplish all of this very important work.

Please contact Wendy Hawthorne, Executive Director, for more information at 303-455-5600. Check out the press release here for more information about the lawsuit, settlement and benefits. FINAL Cherokee Settlement Press Release

NPS Announces New Potential Groundwork Communities for Further Evaluation

anjali — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:41:32 +0000

NPS-RTCA has selected communities from across the country for further evaluation for Groundwork USA Pilot Funding and Technical Assistance. As a next step, NPS and Groundwork USA representatives will be making site visits to meet with the local Groundwork Steering Committees to learn more about their ideas for developing Groundwork in their communities and to work with them to further evaluate this opportunity for their communities.

GWUSA is excited to announce the following communities, selected for further evaluation, discussion and a site visit:
• Atlanta GA (led by Riverwalk Atlanta)
• Chattanooga TN
• Detroit MI
• Indianapolis IN
• Jacksonville FL
• Lewiston-Auburn ME
• Los Angeles CA (led by LA Conservation Corps)
• New Bedford – Fall River MA