The Safe, Clean Water Program (Measure W) and Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks Program (Measure A) provide an unprecedented opportunity to transform underserved communities and protect our watersheds through significant investments in stormwater infrastructure and park projects. These efforts aim to enhance climate resiliency, water supply, and urban forest planning across the region.
Many community-based organizations (CBOs), small municipalities, Tribes, and school districts are eager to leverage this funding alongside state grants and private philanthropy. However, many face challenges in navigating best practices for climate resiliency and developing site-specific adaptive designs. Often, nature-based solutions remain overlooked, and project resiliency becomes an afterthought.
Over the past eight years, the Water Foundation, ARLA, CWH, and program partners (the cohort) have addressed these challenges by providing technical assistance (TA) and capacity building to these entities. Their work focuses on:
• Developing multi-benefit projects that integrate stormwater capture and climate resiliency.
• Equipping organizations with the tools and knowledge to secure competitive grant funding.
• Ensuring sustainable, community-focused outcomes.
The cohort has successfully supported the development and funding of multi-benefit projects across four sites, fostering community resiliency through climate-adaptive design. Their work has provided a replicable model for aligning local, state, and private resources to achieve long-term environmental benefits.
