Technical Assistance Learning Cohort Curriculum

schedule and cOURSE cURRICULUM FOR the 2024 -2025 Land Reuse and Environmental Justice Learning Cohort

Session 1: Introduction to brownfields and Environmental Justice

Thursday, October 17, 2024: 3:30-5:00 PM ET | 12:30 – 2:00 PM PT

This session will provide an overview of the brownfield reuse process. You’ll learn to identify brownfield sites in your community and navigate the journey from initial site assessment to ongoing maintenance. You’ll uncover funding opportunities and learn hands-on through interactive exercises and real-world case studies.

Session 2: Brownfield Site Vision Planning Exercise

Thursday, November 21, 2024: 3:30-5:00 PM ET | 12:30 – 2:00 PM PT

Dive into planning exercises using maps, worksheets, and site history to craft a compelling vision for brownfield reuse. We’ll guide you in aligning your organizational mission with impactful strategies that emphasize public health, climate justice, and food justice. Walk away with practical tools to create a site reuse plan that truly resonates with community needs and priorities.

Session 3: Partnerships, Roles, and Responsibilities

Tuesday, December 10, 2024: 3:30-5:00 PM ET | 12:30 – 2:00 PM PT

Meet the key players—nonprofits, local and state governments, and private sector champions—and understand their crucial roles in brownfield projects. Learn the art of effective engagement, strategic management, and building strong relationships that drive success. We’ll highlight the importance of cross-sector partnerships and provide you with practical tools to manage complex land reuse projects, adaptable to any organizational size or staffing capacity.

Session 4: Equitable Community Engagement

Thursday, January 23, 2025: 3:30-5:00 PM ET | 12:30 – 2:00 PM PT

Unlock the secrets to designing and executing genuine community engagement initiatives that uplift residents and champion equity. Dive into strategies for identifying and actively involving marginalized groups, understanding the fundamentals of equitable development, and implementing inclusive planning frameworks. We’ll also teach you how to make a compelling case for getting your community involved in the land reuse process.

Session 5: Communicating Site Risk to Stakeholders

Thursday, February 20, 2025: 3:30-5:00 PM ET | 12:30 – 2:00 PM PT

Effective communication about site contamination and remediation is crucial for gaining stakeholder support. Discover how to discuss site risks with a diverse audience in a way that’s both understandable and engaging. Master the balance between honesty and reassurance, and cultivate trust and teamwork among community members and stakeholders.

Session 6: Financing Brownfield Redevelopment | Stages, Stakeholders, and Strategies

Thursday, March 20, 2025: 3:30-5:00 PM ET | 12:30 – 2:00 PM PT

In our final session, you’ll explore funding for land reuse projects. Experts will guide you through common funding sources and incentives, practical strategies to align funding with your projects, maintaining project momentum, and maximizing partnerships. By the end, you’ll have a detailed list of funding opportunities, smart techniques for layering funding, and valuable insights on coalition building to support your community’s revitalization goals.

Applications are closed for the 2024-2025 cycle

Decisions are made based on need, commitment to attend all sessions, and geographic diversity.

The deadline to apply is on Friday, September 13th

Applicants will be notified by Friday, September 20th

Program Begins Thursday, October 17th

For questions or inquiries, please email Jalisa Gilmore at jalisa@groundworkusa.org.