Montrose Environmental Group’s Post

Oakland County, Michigan Government is leading the $1.3 million Norton Street Innovation stormwater project in Pontiac. This initiative, supported by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the American Rescue Plan, aims to improve water quality with 100% loan forgiveness and create a sustainable gathering place to bring the community together. The primary objectives of this project are to use bioretention cells to enhance the aesthetics of the area and temporarily capture stormwater runoff before it enters the Augusta Drain. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3QzmHMh PC: Oakland County #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusiness #environmentaljustice #climatechange #climateaction #sustainabledetroit #southeastmichigan #cleanwater #waterquality #stormwater

"Today, The Greenlining Institute announced the second cohort of community-based organizations selected to participate in Greenlining the Block, a multi-year initiative to advance climate justice neighborhood projects and build power in communities of color." Restore the Delta is honored and excited to be a part of the second cohort of Greenlining the Block! For our project, Restore the Delta is convening local, state, and national partners to support, develop, and fund a proposal for restoring Mormon Slough for multi-benefit use. This is a 6 or 7-mile restoration project that would include native plant landscaping, fish restoration, and levee construction, as well as a plan for creating affordable housing and entrepreneurial opportunities. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gTeCpn-r #CAwater #EnvironmentalJustice #ClimateJustice

In a recent update from Sandbranch, Dallas County, it appears the historical Black town has been dealing with severe water scarcity due to prolonged environmental racism. For over 40 years, residents have struggled without clean water after their only well was contaminated, causing the population to decrease significantly. It’s worth noting that this community is now supported by various entities including civil engineering and political sectors to ensure its revitalization. The discussion’s focal point was the misconception that there’s no solution for the town’s water crisis due to the town’s location in a floodplain. The community rejects the proposed buyout from Dallas County, demanding standard infrastructure like any tax-paying Dallas County resident. Derek Avery, a political candidate, has proposed a $12.5 million plan to solve this issue, securing safe water access for Sandbranch’s residents. However, mistrust and skepticism persist in the community. Read the full story by Sam Judy @dtxjudy at dallasweekly.com #iamdw #blackpress #sandbranchwater #environmentalracism #cleanwaterforall #dallascounty #communityrevitalization

Congratulations to the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum on receiving a five-year, $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service! This grant will strengthen Nebraska’s urban forest infrastructure in disadvantaged communities throughout the state. The Arboretum plans to use the grant money toward tree plantings, tree maintenance and removal, and workforce development. The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum has over 45 years of experience providing its rural and urban communities with a green infrastructure. This incredible investment will create greener cities across the country. The Arboretum is one of only three entities in the state to receive this federal funding. The Inflation Reduction Act has a total of 385 awards nationwide totaling more than $1 billion that will go toward planting and maintaining trees. The grant will also go toward combating extreme heat and climate change and increase equitable access to trees and their environmental benefits. #GoPublicGardens #PublicGarden #PublicGardens #supportlocalgardens #communitygardens #NebraskaStatewideArboretum #Nebraska #urbantrees

Of course we need affordable housing, but filling and building in a wetland and/or floodplain is never the right solution. To say that affordable housing can only be built in wetlands and floodplains is disingenuous at best and completely intentionally misleading at worst. It will cause increased downstream flooding, increased volumes of pollutants in nearby streams and surface waters, and will inevitably be flooded - putting those who can least afford to deal with repeat flooding at greatest risk. This is also an environmental justice travesty for the Tribal community in Kansas - adding insult to injury in regard to decades of injustice and violence against Tribal children. https://lnkd.in/eq_DUvHj I see no redeeming value to this effort. It pads the pockets of the developers while putting everyone else at greater risk. And the kicker is that its not even truly affordable. The affordable housing crisis can only be solved through a more systemic solution to the vast income gap in this country - not by destroying public goods like wetlands and floodplains.

We need well-planned, thought out housing and communities that work to support both our environment AND the housing needs of Ontarians. Signing away precious greenbelt land to developers (note: deemed not yet fit for housing development) to build homes when there is already suitable land for housing elsewhere in #Ontario is criminal and unethical. Communities and #Indigenous groups were not even properly consulted before the decision was made, as per the Ontario's Auditor General's recent report. Send a message to the premier Doug Ford and speak out if you agree we need to protect the greenbelt and build a better, cleaner and liveable future. #savethegreenbelt #greenbelt #ontario #betterontario #ontariocanada

"America is segregated, and so is pollution. And so are the vulnerabilities to climate. So are the vulnerabilities to where highways are built or infrastructure is built, I call it infrastructure apartheid. It's hard to unpack those centuries of history, and to get that out of our policymaking. [...] We have to dismantle those systems that create these inequalities. "In the coming years, flooding is going to be a major problem for the country. 25% increase in flood risk. But for communities of color and Black communities it's not 25%, it's 40%. We need to [...] make sure that when we come up with solutions, they just don't somehow plan for the more affluent, but we have to plan for the most vulnerable. If we plan for environmental standards that would protect children, the most vulnerable in our society, we protect everybody. When we place the most vulnerable at risk, we place everybody at risk." – Dr. Robert Bullard

My latest video, all about how we’re investing to improve the water quality at Pudsey Beck. Give it a watch and a like!

The strength of communities is truly inspiring, and nowhere is this more evident than in the face of environmental adversity. Today, we want to share a story that showcases the power of a single individual when guided by determination and a relentless will to change. Meet Jacqueline Jones, a woman from Reidsville, Georgia. Despite limited resources, she fought against the environmental threats affecting her rural community. Her story, penned by our talented staff journalist Dorothy Terry, is a testament to what is possible when ordinary people step up to make extraordinary changes. Communities like Reidsville are often overlooked, left grappling with environmental threats such as repetitive flooding with limited financial and technical resources. But a lack of resources doesn't equate to a lack of resolve, as we've found. It's not the resources, but the people, that make the difference. Harriet Festing, executive director of our organization that represents 250 environmental advocacy groups, puts it best: “It’s always challenging to work in rural communities...But when you have a natural leader like Jackie Jones, anything is possible.” We should remember that every Jackie Jones's story holds the power to inspire thousands more to act. If you know a Jackie Jones in your life or have insights on supporting such communities, please do share. Let’s build a network that empowers and bolsters grassroots environmentalism.