Building Vibrant Communities
Tools and Funding Opportunities for Optimal Natural Resource Outcomes
ACCD and partners
Tree Pittsburgh,
Sustainable Pittsburgh,
Green Building Alliance and
Allegheny Land Trust are hosting workshops for municipalities and citizens to promote sustainability, secure funding for climate-resilient, vibrant communities and enhance resident health.
Topics Include:
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Development trends and stormwater management
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Environmentally meaningful ordinances
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Maximizing benefits from greenspace
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Strategic tree planting for climate resilience
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Creating and achieving sustainability goals
- Sustainable energy, building standards and development
Financial and other support for the Building Vibrant Communities Workshop Series has been provided by the Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Education Grants Program.
Upcoming Sessions
Avenues to Protecting Sensitive Habitats: Why It’s Vital and How It Can Save Everyone Money
Allegheny Land Trust
January 16, 2025 | 10 am - 11:30 am
In this workshop, participants will learn what constitutes a sensitive area or habitat and how to evaluate sites to determine this designation. In addition, Allegheny Land Trust will explore conservation and protection options for these habitats and how they can provide funding and recreational opportunities for your municipality or group while reducing expenditures and risks.
Register
Sustainable Pennsylvania: Planning and Prioritizing Projects Through Sustainability Assessments
Sustainable Pittsburgh
March 25, 2025
Join Sustainable Pittsburgh for a comprehensive overview of the Sustainable Pennsylvania municipal certification program and how it helps municipalities create and achieve sustainability goals, empowering them to save money, conserve resources and innovate. Learn more about the benefits of earning recognition, including improving grant eligibility; tracking and measuring sustainability progress; access to a community of peers; technical assistance; and connections to resources that can support resilient, thriving and healthy communities for all residents.
Registration Coming Soon
Resilient Space Strategies
Green Building Alliance
April 3, 2025
Join Green Building Alliance for a workshop on climate vulnerability and adaptation strategies for municipal buildings and schools. Topics include clean energy, green building standards, sustainable development best practices and "third spaces." The session will cover examples of resiliency planning and climate adaptation projects in action, including at Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Registration Coming Soon
Previous Sessions
Flow of Development in Allegheny County
Allegheny County Conservation District
September 24, 2024 | 9 am - 11:30 am
Attend a workshop on county development patterns, stormwater infrastructure and protective stormwater ordinances. ACCD will present on distribution and analysis of development and Stormwater Control Measures in Allegheny County from 2020-2023. Additionally, ACCD will provide examples of protective stormwater ordinances adopted by municipalities in Allegheny County. The municipality of Monroeville will present on specific ordinance changes they have enacted, their stormwater program and lessons learned in municipal stormwater management.
Free Trees, Canopy Data, Tour and More! Canopy Resources for Your Community and Tree Adoption Event
Tree Pittsburgh
October 23, 2024 | 2 pm - 4 pm
To better understand the local resources available to support community plantings and maintenance, this workshop will highlight the canopy decline in Allegheny County and share strategies for growing the urban forest. Attendees will discover how to manage and protect trees through best practices and policies, followed by a walking tour of the five-acre riverfront campus and tree nursery. A tree adoption will accompany this workshop for attendees to receive free trees at the event.