Description: This webinar is the third in a three-part series bringing together practitioners for practical discussions on green schoolyards as a high-impact strategy for climate resilience, public health and stormwater compliance. In this webinar, Holly Sauter will share how MWRD’s Space to Grow and suburban green schoolyards programs are funded from a utility’s perspective. Superintendent Steve Geraci will share his experience and lessons learned as a school administrator, including how to identify and obtain funding for school-specific amenities and improvements, to maximize co-benefits for both the school and neighboring communities. Greenprint’s Alex Heidtke will moderate the conversation.

Participants will gain insights on how to successfully plan for, implement and sustain green schoolyards, and learn how both utilities and schools can meet their goals together through green schoolyard projects.

View Part 1 Here

Learning Objectives:

• Build your ability to understand and build buy-in around the many benefits of green schoolyards, using MWRD’s programs as examples
• Gain insights for how to:
  • Successfully plan for and implement a green schoolyard
  • Avoid common barriers to implementation
  • Sustain a green schoolyard in the long-term
• Understand how green schoolyards help utilities meet water quality / stormwater requirements while providing students with access to nature and new educational opportunities

Presenters: 

• Holly Sauter, PE, Principal Civil Engineer, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD)
• Steve Geraci, Superintendent/Coordinator of Student Services, Burnham Elementary School District
• Alex Heidtke, PE, Greenprint Partners (moderator)

Certificate: This webinar has NOT been submitted for approval of continuing education credit. We can provide a certificate of attendance to eligible attendees, but cannot guarantee it will meet your PDH or CEU requirements.

Who Should Attend: 

• K-12 superintendents, educators, school district staff

• Managers, owners and operators of small stormwater systems serving less than 10,000 people

• Decision-makers for water utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members and clerks

• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving educational sector

• Community-based organizations, PTOs and/or watershed groups partnering, or interested in partnering, with schools

• Anyone interested in community engagement in stormwater management and planning

Partner: