Tribal Perspectives, Equity, & Green Infrastructure Experts at Chicago River Summit
Nature-based green infrastructure at Lathrop Homes along the North Branch of the Chicago River.
National and local experts will examine the intersections of watershed planning, climate justice, environmental health, and nature at the 20th anniversary Chicago River Summit: Linking Watersheds on October 24. The summit includes indigenous perspectives on water resource management, lessons on the importance of inclusive partnerships, and how cities can improve resilience and equity in urban water systems. Just as ecosystem health is strengthened with biodiversity, a wide-spanning diversity of voices is necessary to create a resilient Chicago-Calumet River watershed.
Friends is excited to co-host the Chicago River Summit with the this year to highlight the need for regional collaboration and innovative partnerships to advance critical climate policy and watershed planning projects throughout the region.
Speakers include:
- Danielle Gallet, Founding Principal + Water Strategist at Waterwell, to bring together ideas into a Chicago-specific lens, highlighting the city’s unique water challenges and innovations.
- Kelli Paige, Former NOAA Equity, Partnerships, and Service Delivery Lead (Federal) at U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, to celebrate the importance of inclusive partnerships in watershed management and discuss the role of federal agencies in supporting local partners in building climate resilience and environmental equity.
- Grant Poole, Water Quality Specialist and Andrea Jackson from the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi to present a tribal perspective of water resources and Pokagon Band Kowabdanawa odë k臈, which means "They watch over this land." They will explore how the Pokagon Band engages in the sharing insights on indigenous water resource management, nature-based solutions and the cultural significance of their work.
- Jenny Sunday, Green Infrastructure Program Manager at NYC Parks, to discuss strategies of inter-agency coordination, community engagement, and policy frameworks shaping . Her presentation will offer transferable lessons on how cities can improve resilience and equity in urban water systems.
In 2004, Friends and Chicago Wilderness came together for our first Linking Watersheds conference, and two decades later, new challenges are at forefront of our environmental work, but the need remains for coordination across sectors and jurisdictional boundaries. Coordination is imperative to effectively address shared challenges.
The summit is Thursday, October 24, from 12 noon to 5 p.m., at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago. Register now.
