Community

The Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization Program consults and collaborates with environmental justice leaders, impacted communities, and partners (including local, state, and federal government agencies) on programs and policy advocacy to address local environmental injustices. From the Great Lakes to the Deep South to the East Coast, our program has worked on water equity and affordability, deteriorating infrastructure, climate-induced flooding, and more. We are always working to expand our community partnerships and the overall reach of the program, see where we’ve worked below.

Birmingham, Alabama

With the support of the Kresge Foundation, our program co-developed a Green Summer Work Experience program with community leaders to address climate-induced flooding, water and sewage, infrastructure, and public health issues impacting city residents. Our program also sponsored events led by local community groups and created an internship opportunity in collaboration with the City of Birmingham.

Benton Harbor, Michigan

Upon discovering dangerous elevated levels of lead in their drinking water, our program connected with community-based organizations to strategize on how to best lend our resources and support to address the Benton Harbor's water crisis, which included elevating the crisis via our media channels in the form of opinion pieces and reports.

Jackson, Mississippi

In collaboration with our NWF Action Fund, our program developed and launched the #RevivingMiss Campaign 1.0 and 2.0 in partnership with more than 17 organizations, including a joint internship in collaboration with the African American Mayors Association and community leaders to uplift four agreed upon pillars (natural infrastructure, flooding, water, and environmental justice) through communications, education, community outreach, and civic engagement via direct lobbying.

Mount Vernon, New York

Our program was quick to respond to requests from Mount Vernon city officials to connect and obtain support as the city faced crippling federal fines stemming from deteriorating water and sewage infrastructure. Our program connected city officials with key experts and partners, including Flint (MI) officials, to share best practices and to collectively create a campaign strategy. The city was featured in our 11 Example to Build Back Better report.

Water Equity and Affordability in the Great Lakes Region

In collaboration with the NWF Great Lakes Regional Center, our program helped shape and convene leaders across urban and rural landscapes across the Great Lakes Region to shape a shared vision and action plan to advance water equity and affordability through a series of roundtable discussions.

Southeast and Caribbean Environmental Justice Community of Practice

In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), our program launched a community of practice with regular convenings to bring together federal, state, NGO, academic, and community leaders across the Southeast and Caribbean to share resources and discuss best practices around how to more equitably serve vulnerable populations in the face of climate change.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Bayou Classic: Battle of the Sciences

In collaboration with Grambling State University and Southern University and A&M College, our program engaged HBCU students on science-based projects to protect the Mississippi River Watershed through Battle of the Sciences. Our program also collaborated with NWF Women in Conservation Leadership to provide career and professional development training and resources to HBCU students, staff, and alumni through our HBCU Green Careers Roundtable.