This high-level panel explores the current state of federal legislation, the distribution of funding to states, the role of the states, how funding makes its way to sustainability, renewable energy, and resilience projects and local communities, and what to look for in the years ahead. Continuing the discussion from last spring’s Waterfront Conference on federal funding, speakers will cover the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Justice40, the Inflation Reduction Act, New York and New Jersey State funding, and other federal programs.
The Heather M. Morgan Climate Risk Adaptation Lecture honors the memory of Heather Morgan, noted climate risk adaptation expert, and her contributions to the field of sustainability. Heather dedicated her career to redefining the relationship between our human inhabitation and the natural system utilizing a transdisciplinary approach. She used her formidable oratory skills to educate people and empower them to advocate for their communities because she felt that unless people understood the dynamic, there would be no real progress. Heather was herself a force of nature who brought boundless energy, genuine integrity, and limitless passion to her work.
The Lecture series is supported by an endowed fund in order to bring top speakers to the Waterfront Conference. Fund supporters are:
Premier Corporate Sponsor AECOM
$10,000 and above Battery Park City Authority J.M. Kaplan Fund
$5,000 – $9,999 SiteWorks Landscape Architecture
$1,000 – $4,999 Nora Madonick, CEO, Arch Street Communications Biohabitats
Up to $999 Susan Ainsworth Nanci Bateman Pierre Boucicaut Emory G. Lee Craig McCaw Kate McLetchie-Sheldon Morgan Landscape Group Jackie Snyder Marc Tuozzolo
Everybody is connected to climate resilience in some capacity, but very few work for advocacy organizations. We close the program with a focus on everything from practical tactics to technical expertise that can be put to use for climate advocacy outside of a professional role. What are basic mechanisms of advocacy that all citizens can do—even anonymously, if needed? What policies should people contact elected officials about? What volunteer opportunities exist with advocacy groups? What can agency officials, consultants, place-based NGOs, and others do to advocate for more climate resilience?
