IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING
Reducing Floods, Healing Ecosystems, and Protecting Human Health through Natural Solutions
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Speakers: Elena Grossman, Vidya Venkataramanan, Aaron Feggestad, and Ted Haffner (Moderator)
It’s raining, it’s pouring, there’s no time for snoring. The global implications of climate change reverberate in our homes and communities in the form of floods, impacted ecosystems, and increased public health threats. Join this dynamic conversation to learn how we collectively address these challenges.
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Speakers: Elena Grossman, Vidya Venkataramanan, Aaron Feggestad, and Ted Haffner (Moderator)
It’s raining, it’s pouring, there’s no time for snoring. The global implications of climate change reverberate in our homes and communities in the form of floods, impacted ecosystems, and increased public health threats. Join this dynamic conversation to learn how we collectively address these challenges.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Elena Grossman, BRACE-Illinois Program Manager, University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health
Elena Grossman is the Program Director for BRACE-Illinois, a partnership between the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health to help prepare Illinois for the health effects from climate change. She develops education and training tools on climate change and health; facilitates the strategic process for local health departments to address climate change; develops and manages the evaluation plan for BRACE-Illinois; researches the relationships between climate change and health, as well as intervention and communication strategies to address them; and collaborates in developing and writing state reports on climate change and health. Elena holds a B.A. in Spanish and international relations from Franklin & Marshall College, and an MPH in community health sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a concentration in global health.
Elena Grossman is the Program Director for BRACE-Illinois, a partnership between the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health to help prepare Illinois for the health effects from climate change. She develops education and training tools on climate change and health; facilitates the strategic process for local health departments to address climate change; develops and manages the evaluation plan for BRACE-Illinois; researches the relationships between climate change and health, as well as intervention and communication strategies to address them; and collaborates in developing and writing state reports on climate change and health. Elena holds a B.A. in Spanish and international relations from Franklin & Marshall College, and an MPH in community health sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a concentration in global health.
Vidya Venkataramanan, Researcher, Northwestern University
Vidya is interested in understanding how community engagement and participation can improve the implementation of water sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) and environmental sustainability programs. She uses qualitative and quantitative methods, particularly drawing on tools from policy and implementation research. Her current research includes the following two focus areas: understanding community perceptions and impacts of green stormwater management interventions to prevent urban flooding in Chicago; and understanding perceived value of urban, preserved green spaces to inform education and outreach interventions for urban conservation programs.
Vidya is interested in understanding how community engagement and participation can improve the implementation of water sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) and environmental sustainability programs. She uses qualitative and quantitative methods, particularly drawing on tools from policy and implementation research. Her current research includes the following two focus areas: understanding community perceptions and impacts of green stormwater management interventions to prevent urban flooding in Chicago; and understanding perceived value of urban, preserved green spaces to inform education and outreach interventions for urban conservation programs.
Aaron Feggestad, PWS, Senior Ecologist, Stantec
Aaron is a restoration ecologist in Stantec's Madison office, where he conducts ecological restoration planning and design, on-the-ground restoration implementation, natural resource assessments and monitoring, and wetland delineations. He works with clients to implement sound and economical solutions to rehabilitate and promote resiliency in natural systems from restoration design through project completion. Aaron is currently managing several large restoration projects in the Great Lakes Region where he is helping clients to restore hundreds of natural areas. He also provides technical oversight for many other Stantec ecological restoration projects throughout the Upper Midwest.
Aaron is a restoration ecologist in Stantec's Madison office, where he conducts ecological restoration planning and design, on-the-ground restoration implementation, natural resource assessments and monitoring, and wetland delineations. He works with clients to implement sound and economical solutions to rehabilitate and promote resiliency in natural systems from restoration design through project completion. Aaron is currently managing several large restoration projects in the Great Lakes Region where he is helping clients to restore hundreds of natural areas. He also provides technical oversight for many other Stantec ecological restoration projects throughout the Upper Midwest.
Ted Haffner, Climate Fellow and Landscape Architect, Openlands
Ted Haffner is the Climate Fellow and Landscape Architect at Openlands. Prior to Openlands, Ted served as Senior Associate and Project Manager with Terry Guen Design Associates, a landscape architecture firm specializing in public and institutional landscape design. Ted’s deep technical knowledge and leadership on multidisciplinary projects benefit Openlands in many key areas ranging from project management and strategic thinking to specific project support and directives. Through his past and current experience, Ted is a thought leader on making urban green infrastructure a reality, utilizing existing community contexts and reasonable investment. Blending a thoughtful approach to design and strategic thinking, Ted works to contextually analyze and innovatively connect the natural world to the built.
Ted Haffner is the Climate Fellow and Landscape Architect at Openlands. Prior to Openlands, Ted served as Senior Associate and Project Manager with Terry Guen Design Associates, a landscape architecture firm specializing in public and institutional landscape design. Ted’s deep technical knowledge and leadership on multidisciplinary projects benefit Openlands in many key areas ranging from project management and strategic thinking to specific project support and directives. Through his past and current experience, Ted is a thought leader on making urban green infrastructure a reality, utilizing existing community contexts and reasonable investment. Blending a thoughtful approach to design and strategic thinking, Ted works to contextually analyze and innovatively connect the natural world to the built.