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Projects & Programs - Municipal/Community Training
Fall Green Infrastructure Champion Continuing Education Opportunities:
September 14, 2023: Pocket Wetlands for Homeowners (Dr. Roy Messaros)
September 28, 2023: Native Plants for Green Infrastructure Projects (Susan Tarr)
October 12, 2023: Floating Treatment Wetlands: Community-Based Crandon Lake Restoration Project (Nathaniel Sajdak)
October 19, 2023: Living Shorelines for New Jersey (Dr. Thomas Herrington)
Each class will be held from 12NOON to 1:30PM via Zoom
Register HERE!
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All sessions for the 2023 training program will be offered via an online format. Generous support from our funders is allowing us to offer this year’s training for free!
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 can offer:
- Training on green infrastructure planning and implementation
- Technical support to develop a design for a green infrastructure demonstration project
- Networking opportunities with other Green Infrastructure Champions for mutual support
- Assistance with grant writing
**A minimum of five (5) classes is required for certification.**
This program is partially funded by the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, and William Penn Foundation, and is a collaboration of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program and the Green Infrastructure Subcommittee of Jersey Water Works.
1. “How to identify green infrastructure projects in your town”
Friday, January 13 from 10AM-12NOON; via an online format
Handouts:
- Reference Sheet (pdf, 1 p.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Green Infrastructure Site Assessment Instructions (pdf, 4 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Green Infrastructure Site Assessment Checklist (pdf, 2 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
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”
Friday, January 27 from 10AM-12NOON; via an online format
Handouts:
- Success: Are you a Connector, a Maven, or a Salesman? (pdf, 3 pp.) - The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell
- New Jersey 24 Hour Rainfall Frequency Data (pdf, 1 p.) - Engineering Field Handbook, NJ Supplement, August 2012
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”Friday, February 10 from 10AM-12NOON; via an online format
Handouts:
- Green Infrastructure Maintenance Procedures/Guidelines (pdf, 76 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Rain Garden Inspection Form (pdf, 2 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Best Management Practices Detention Basin Inspection Checklist (pdf, 2 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Green Infrastructure Maintenance Log (pdf, 1 p.) - RCE Water Resources Program
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"
Friday, February 24 from 10AM-12NOON; via an online format
Handouts:
- MS4 Municipal Stormwater General Permit, 12/1/2022 (pdf, 53 pp.)
- CURRENT - N.J.A.C. 7:8 Stormwater Management Rules , 3/2/2020 (pdf, 47 pp.)
- PROPOSED - N.J.A.C. 7:8 Stormwater Management Rules, 12/5/2022 (pdf, 117 pp.)
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"
Friday, March 10 from 10AM-12NOON; via an online format
Handouts:
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 projects for schools"
Friday, March 24 from 10AM-12NOON; via an online format
Handouts:
- The Rain Garden Commercial (PowerPoint) - RCE Water Resources Program
Public, private, and charter schools all tend to provide opportunities for green infrastructure. This class will discuss green infrastructure projects for schools and educational programs that can accompany these projects to engage school children, their parents, and teachers.
7. "How to design and build a rain garden"
Friday, April 7 from 10AM-12NOON; via an online format
Handouts:
- New Jersey 24 Hour Rainfall Frequency Data (pdf, 1p.) - Engineering Field Handbook, NJ Supplement, August 2012
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"
Friday, April 21 from 10AM-12NOON; via an online format
Handouts:
- Detention Basin Inspection Checklist (pdf, 2 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Detention Basin Maintenance Guidelines (pdf, 1p.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Stormwater Basin Maintenance - trifold brochure (pdf) - RCE Water Resources Program
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"
Friday, May 5 from 10AM-12NOON; via an online format
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"
Friday, May 19 from 10AM-12NOON; via an online format
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.
Top of Page
- How to Install an Underdrain (MP4 file, 1 min. 42 sec.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- How to Do a Percolation Test (MP4 file, 2 min. 13 sec.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Green Stormwater Infrastructure Overview (PowerPoint, 40 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Rain Gardens: A Simple Way to Do Your Part (PowerPoint, 22 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Gaining a better vision of your watershed through the Rowan NJ MAP Interactive Atlas, Dr. John Haase, Rowan University, May 14, 2021 (MP4 file)
- List of the 2019 Green Infrastructure Champions, List of 2020 Green Infrastructure Champions, List of 2021 Green Infrastructure Champions, List of 2022 Green Infrastructure Champions, and List of 2023 Green Infrastructure Champions
- Green Infrastructure Champions Program (pdf, 2 pp.) - National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL) success story
- Green Infrastructure Guidance Manual for New Jersey (link to printable pdf, 146 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Green Infrastructure Guidance for Reducing the Impacts of Impervious Cover on Water Quality (link to printable companion 20-page brochure to the Green Infrastructure Guidance Manual for New Jersey) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Green Infrastructure Site Assessment Instructions (pdf, 4 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Green Infrastructure Site Assessment Checklist (pdf, 2 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Rain Garden Manual of New Jersey (link to printable pdf, 68 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Rain Garden App (link to download mobile app) - University of Connecticut
- New Jersey Green Infrastructure Municipal Toolkit (website) - New Jersey Future
- New Jersey Developers' Green Infrastructure Guide (website) - New Jersey Future & New Jersey Builders Association
- Maintenance Guidance - NJ STORMWATER.ORG (website) - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- Green Infrastructure Maintenance Procedures/Guidelines (pdf, 76 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Detention Basin Inspection Checklist (pdf, 2 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Rain Garden Inspection Form (pdf, 2 pp.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Maintenance Log (pdf, 1 p.) - RCE Water Resources Program
- NJ Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual - NJ STORMWATER.ORG (website) - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- Stormwater Management in Your Schoolyard (website) - RCE Water Resources Program
- Stormwater Management in Your Backyard (website) - RCE
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
Project Coordinator
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
