Projects & Programs - Municipal/Community Training

Green Infrastructure Champions Training Program


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Introduction

 

 Training Program
Resources 2019 - 2025 Green Infrastructure Champions

 

Contacts

 

Introduction

Green Infrastructure Champions are key players in implementing green infrastructure as an approach to stormwater management in their own municipality.  Green Infrastructure Champions will be able to:

  • Enhance their knowledge through green infrastructure workshops, seminars, and personal research
  • Engage community leaders to adopt green infrastructure as a stormwater management solution by updating ordinances and municipal master plans
  • Encourage local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and schools to incorporate green infrastructure in their existing landscaping
  • Secure funding for green infrastructure
  • Publicize implementation of green infrastructure through social media channels

Here is what we offer through the Green Infrastructure Training Program:

  • Training on green infrastructure planning and implementation
  • Networking opportunities with other Green Infrastructure Champions for mutual support
  • Assistance with grant writing

    **A minimum of five (5) classes is required for certification.**

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Training Program

1. “How to identify green infrastructure projects in your town”

This class will provide an overview of green infrastructure practices and how to identify sites that can be retrofitted with green infrastructure.  The variables that should be considered in selecting the most appropriate green infrastructure practice will be discussed.  A green infrastructure site assessment checklist will be provided to all attendees. 

2. “Moving from planning to implementation of green infrastructure”

The various components of green infrastructure planning will be discussed including tools that can be used to help prepare these plans.  The implementation of green infrastructure projects that have been identified through the planning process will be the main focus of this workshop.  Leveraging existing projects, building partnerships, writing grants and project costs will be discussed.  Lessons learned during implementation will also be covered.

3. “Maintaining green infrastructure practices/projects”

The key to long-term success of green infrastructure is maintenance.  This workshop will discuss the maintenance requirements for each green infrastructure practice.  Model maintenance agreements will be shared and discussed.  Cost of maintenance will be covered in the workshop as well.

4. "Stormwater management regulations, policies, and ordinances"

Many people look to state and local policies, regulations, and ordinances to actuate a long-term change in how communities address stormwater issues. This workshop will discuss the current regulations and offer examples of policies and ordinances that can help communities reduce flooding and improve the health of their waterbodies.

5. "Green infrastructure planning and implementation for Sustainable Jersey points"

Green infrastructure planning and implementation activities can be used to earn points through the Sustainable Jersey Program.  This class discusses planning as well as implementation activities that can be completed to obtain Sustainable Jersey points.

6. "Green infrastructure for targeted audiences"

This class will discuss green infrastructure projects for targeted audiences, namely schools, libraries, churches/houses of worship, recreational land uses, municipally owned property, businesses, and residential properties. Attendees will be provided with a checklist and examples on how to successfully approach and engage each of these groups to implement and install green infrastructure practices.

7. "How to design and build a rain garden"

One of the easiest green infrastructure practices to design and build is the rain garden.  In this workshop, attendees will learn how to design and build a rain garden.  The class will include useful tools for design including the New Jersey Rain Garden Manual and the Rain Garden App.  The workshop will not only teach attendees how to properly size a rain garden but also how to select plants.

8. "Retrofitting traditional detention basins with green infrastructure"

Detention basins have been used throughout New Jersey since the early 1980s.  While these basins do reduce stormwater runoff peak flows from developed areas, they do very little to reduce stormwater runoff volumes or pollutant loads.  This class will discuss retrofitting detention basins to improve their infiltration capacity and enhance their ability to reduce pollutant loads.  The retrofitting of basins will also reduce maintenance, mainly the need to mow. 

9. "Developing green infrastructure master plans for an entire site or neighborhood"

Many communities have installed a green infrastructure demonstration project.  This class helps attendees build upon that individual project to create master plans for an entire site, municipal complex, school ground, corporate complex, or a neighborhood.  The master plan goes beyond managing stormwater with green infrastructure and incorporates a wide range of amenities. 

10. "Using green infrastructure to promote climate resiliency"

Climate changes, including rising sea level, more intense storms, and longer periods of drought between storms, can increase stormwater runoff.  Green infrastructure practices can be used to minimize these impacts and promote climate resiliency.  This class will discuss opportunities for green infrastructure to mitigate the effects of climate change as well as the design considerations that must be made to combat changing rainfall patterns and sea level rise.

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Resources

  • FAQs - (pdf, 9 pp.) - Cody Obropta for RCE Water Resources Program ~ June 2023

PDFs

PowerPoints

Videos

Websites

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Contacts

Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences
Extension Specialist in Water Resources
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program
14 College Farm Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 848-932-5711/Fax:732-932-8644
obropta@envsci.rutgers.edu

Hollie DiMuro
Senior Program Administrator Supervisor - Environmental Planning
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program
14 College Farm Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 848-932-6728/Fax: 732-932-8644
hollie.dimuro@rutgers.edu

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Water Resources Program at Rutgers NJAES