Protecting Coastlines to Transform Communities: Norfolk's Ohio Creek Watershed

When

2023-01-20
2023-01-20T14:00:00 - 2023-01-20T15:00:00
America/New_York

Choose Your Calendar

    Where

    ZOOM This webinar will be hosted by Zoom. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 UNITED STATES
    Registration is complimentary and open to everyone.

    As one of the largest populations at risk for sea level rise in the United States, communities in the Ohio Creek Watershed in Norfolk, Virginia, were constantly facing coastal flooding during major rainfall events that inundated sidewalks and submerged roadways—creating a disruption to daily life. The Ohio Creek Watershed strategic resiliency project is not only solving the urgent need to fix flooding, but includes upgraded infrastructure, coastal defense strategies, neighborhood amenities, and public spaces. It is transforming the neighborhoods by deconcentrating poverty, creating connections, and strengthening accessibility. 

    During this session, attendees will hear firsthand about a successful model of resiliency for any community facing similar flooding challenges. They’ll learn about the City of Norfolk’s goals, innovative design solutions to enhance community connection, and new techniques and resources for implementing strategies that engage community members, support economic opportunity, and enhance quality of life.

    Speakers

    Kim Blossom

    Environmental Scientist, VHB

    Kim Blossom is an Environmental Scientist with extensive experience managing complex projects for municipalities, housing authorities, developers, and private landowners. Kim’s knowledge of coastal defense strategies and sea level rise resiliency planning have contributed to helping residential communities with long-term stability and protection of crucial infrastructure. Kim often serves as an extension of organizations and leads the development of Environmental Impact Statements and NEPA compliance documents under the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding grant requirements. Notable projects include the Ohio Creek Watershed Transformation Plan and the St. Paul’s Area Tidewater Gardens Choice Neighborhood Implementation project—both in Norfolk, Virginia. Kim is an Envision Sustainability Professional.

    Kyle Spencer

    Chief Resilience Officer, City of Norfolk

    Kyle Spencer is the Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Norfolk and spent the previous four years as the Deputy Resilience Officer. For the last 15 years, he has been working to make Norfolk a more resilient city as a consultant and a technology leader before working in the Resilience Office. Kyle’s primary focus is implementing the City’s Resilience Strategy by managing complex water management, environmental, urban planning, and smart cities projects. While with the City, Kyle has been collaborating with regional partners on resilience innovations to support research projects with universities and developing business solutions in the resilience sector by turning Norfolk into a coastal community laboratory. Kyle is a certified GIS Professional, and Certified Floodplain Manager.

    Neville Reynolds

    Environmental Service Line Chair, VHB

    Neville Reynolds is the leader of VHB’s Environmental Services practice. For the past 33 years, he has partnered with municipalities, housing authorities, and developers to deliver complex real estate developments, including residential communities, across the Mid-Atlantic coastal areas. Neville is focused on climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, and he leads the planning, design, and permitting of shoreline restoration and waterfront improvements aimed at creating more sustainable and resilient communities. Community engagement is a vital component of the design process and Neville helps communities understand the shoreline response to coastal structures and the development of shoreline restoration measures to protect assets long-term. His deep relationship with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies contributes to seamless coordination and efficient permitting strategies that enable developments to move forward and meet critical construction deadlines.

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