Lecture/Presentation

Community Resilience Planning: Getting Beyond Climate Disasters

November 1, 2013 9:00am - 2:00pm

• Where: Trustees Pavilion, 505 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430
• Hosted by: Ramapo College
• Go to event website »

The purpose of this panel discussion and workshop is to provide communities in Northern New Jersey with cutting-edge tools and techniques to move beyond mere climate- and disaster-preparedness toward a state of dynamic resilience. Think of it as a sustainability “clinic,” where we will help you anticipate problems you might encounter and assist you with trouble-shooting your way around obstacles you have already encountered. PROGRAM:   9:00 AM: Coffee and Networking   9:30 AM: Introduction to the session and the panel, Ashwani Vasishth, PhD   9:40 AM: Sustainable Jersey and Resiliency Planning Tools, Linda Weber, AICP, PP   Sustainable Jersey is a certification program that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support and reward communities that pursue specific sustainability actions. Come learn about the certification process and the resiliency planning tools that will prepare NJ communities for the next storm.   10:10 AM: Getting to Resilience Planning Tool, Lisa Auermuller, Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, & Martha Maxwell-Doyle, Barnegat Bay Partnership   “Getting to Resilience” is an online self-assessment developed to assist communities in reducing vulnerability and increase preparedness by linking planning, mitigation, and adaptation. Through this interactive process communities will learn how their preparedness can yield valuable points through voluntary programs like FEMA’s Community Rating System and Sustainable Jersey. The assessment process will also increase the community’s understanding of where future vulnerabilities should be addressed through hazard mitigation planning   10:40 AM: Ecological Audits and Natural Resource Inventories, Michael Klemens, PhD Current land use practices remain heavily influenced by conflict-based narratives that create false dichotomies. A community doesn’t need to choose between either a sustainable diversified economy or a resilient, biodiverse ecosystem. How do we move from these dichotomous conversations that pit interests one against another to an integrated vision where the green infrastructure and the built infrastructure reinforce one another?   11:30 AM: Designing with Nature for Community Resilience, Dave Peifer, ANJEC By acting in harmony with natural systems and processes, communities can be better prepared to adapt and respond to a changing environment. This presentation will include case studies of successful community initiatives that enhanced resilience by strengthening or imitating natural design   12 noon: Lunch and Networking   12:45 PM: Workshop: Troubleshooting Community Sustainability Efforts A mix between a problem-solving session and strategy-sharing session, we will work with participants to help them articulate obstacles they may face, and problems they need to resolve, on their path to a more sustainable, resilient future.   2:00 PM: Adjourn   The Master’s Program in Sustainability Studies (MASS) at The Ramapo College of New Jersey   In Partnership with Sustainable Jersey The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve The Barnegat Bay Partnership The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions

Back to all events