Resilient Communities Webinar Series Confirmation

Thank you, you are now registered for the upcoming webinar. Part of the Local Government Education programming series, Resilient Communities webinars are a result of University of Illinois Extension and Prairie Rivers Network's collaboration to build capacity for technical assistance and education aimed to help communities navigate energy- and environment-related funding opportunities, provide guidance on community inclusion, and lead community-specific strategic planning. This outreach should help communities secure and manage resources to address legacy pollution, invest in clean energy technologies, and more.

Illinois was once home to over 8 million acres of wetlands but, despite their enormous economic and ecological value, less than 10 percent now remain. But not all is lost! Wetland restoration projects are well underway in Illinois. Join us for this program to hear these local stories of wetland restoration, discover all the benefits these ecosystems can offer, and learn what your community can do to restore these vital habitats. 

The Resilient Communities Webinar Series will wade through examples of wetland restoration projects, from the conversion of a 3,000-acre site into the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge to the restoration of a wetland in a small community park in Quincy. At any scale, wetlands can provide a myriad of benefits, including habitat for fish and other wildlife, pollution filtration, flood protection, and groundwater recharge.

You can join any Zoom Webinar in the series using this link:
https://illinois.zoom.us/j/83275440430?pwd=a5NruAi9PqBqDSAaUSbQtXbhsXGwvW.1 

Meeting ID: 832 7544 0430
Password:    225753

If you will need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please email mdelany2@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

Speakers:
Robert Hirschfeld | Prairie River Network
Robert Hirschfeld is the Director of Water Policy and leads PRN’s efforts to ensure and protect water quality, water quantity, water access, and water equity for all of Illinois. He advocates and speaks for clean water, river protection, biological integrity, wildlife conservation, and climate mitigation and adaptation. Through collaboration with local, regional, state and national partners, he pursues policies, programs, and strategies that will ensure the long-term health and beauty of Illinois’ communities, rivers, and habitat. He also works on many of PRN’s communications and social media campaigns, and he produces videos and podcasts. Robert joined PRN in March 2011 and holds a B.A. in religion and Asian studies from the University of Puget Sound and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. 

Paul Botts | The Wetlands Initiative 
Paul Botts has been President and Executive Director of the Wetlands Initiative (TWI) since 2011. He serves on steering or executive committees of the Chicago Wilderness Alliance and the Greater Chicago Watershed Alliance, and is a board officer of the Prairie State Conservation Coalition. Before joining TWI, Paul was Director of Chicago Programs at the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. A Chicago native and recovered newspaper reporter, Paul has served on the boards of Gift Theatre Company and the Alliance for the Great Lakes. 

Glenn Sanders | Mississippi Valley Hunters and Fishermen Association 

Glenn Sanders retired as a sergeant from the Illinois Conservation Police. He currently serves as the president of the Mississippi Valley Hunters and Fishermen’s Association and was instrumental in the wetland project at Quincy’s Bob Bangert Park, as well as many other local restoration projects. 

For more information on the Resilient Communities Webinar Series, contact: Linda Derhak, National Resources, Energy, and Environment, Illinois Extension, at lderhak2@illinois.edu

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See past webinars from the Resilient Communities series and the Thriving Communities series by clicking here.
Past Sessions include:
Watt’s Up with Data Centers?’ Part 3: Community Strategies for Responding to Data Center Development
(Recording | Feb. 24, 2026)
Part 3 of the webinar series examined, for example, a local community’s Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) and how CBAs can align projects with community goals. It also offered a look forward on how state policy can support responsible data center development, including greater transparency on power needs and water use and support for carbon-free electricity. 

Watt’s Up with Data Centers?’ Part 2: Community and Utility Perspectives (Recording | Jan. 20, 2026)
Part 2 of the webinar series explored data-center development in Illinois. In this session, four speakers shared different perspectives on how data centers are affecting communities, and what local leaders should consider when these projects come knocking. 

Watt's Up with Data Centers? Part 1: Understanding Energy and Water Use, and What Communities Can Do (Recording | Jan. 13, 2026)
With more than 200 data centers now operating in Illinois (and more on the way), communities are feeling the effects of this fast-growing industry. Local leaders and community members are asking: How much energy and water do these facilities use, and what tools are available to manage their local impacts?  Attend this webinar to hear from experts who will provide practical information to help local leaders and others understand the potential impacts of data-center development and make informed decisions about potential or ongoing development in their communities. 

2026 State Funding Outlook: Financing for Climate and Energy Community Projects (Recording | Nov. 13, 2025)
Is your community searching for funding options to support climate and energy projects? Join colleagues from across the State to learn from state agency representatives who will share information about upcoming grant programs available in 2026.

Technical Assistance and Funding Opportunities for Thriving Communities (Recording | Jan 30, 2024): State and federal funding for community infrastructure projects is currently at unprecedented levels, particularly for energy and environmental projects.  At this webinar, panelists will provide an overview of open opportunities and share resources available to help communities plan and apply for these grant funds, including resources for disadvantaged communities, such as grant application support and some limited pro bono engineering services. Future webinars in this series will provide specific resources for funding opportunities. | Presenters: Amanda Pankau, Director of Energy and Community Resiliency, Prairie Rivers Network; Urszula Parfieniuk, Grants Navigator, Great Lakes TCTAC; Noor Shahzad, Community Outreach Associate, Environmental Protection Network; Ellie Carley, Program Manager, Community Engineering Corps

Community Change Grants (Recording | Feb 20, 2024): The Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program funds environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments are focused on community-driven initiatives that are responsive to community and stakeholder input and are designed for communities most adversely and disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, and historical disinvestments. This session covered the program requirements, eligibility, application information, and available resources for this funding opportunity, which is currently open from now until November 2024. | Presenters: Amanda Pankau, Director of Energy and Community Resiliency, Prairie Rivers Network; Lisa Merrifield, Community and Economic Development State Specialist, Illinois Extension; Joseph Malual, Community and Economic Development Regional Specialist, Illinois Extension; Urszula Parfieniuk, Grants Navigator, Great Lakes TCTAC; Dvanina Resto, Environmental Protection Network

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Programs (Recording | Apr 16, 2024) This webinar will focus on the future hazards Illinois will face due to climate change and how you can use the BRIC/FMA federal grant to fund projects in your community to mitigate these natural hazards. Our presentations will include Dr. Trent Ford's research on Climate Change in Southern Illinois and a discussion of the next round of the Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities grant. | Presenters: Dr. Trent Ford has been the Illinois State Climatologist since 2019. Trent is an expert in climate and climate change and its interactions and impacts, especially as they relate to water. Trent leads climate monitoring and data collection and provision for the state of Illinois. He and his team provide information online, through traditional and social media, and by speaking to interested groups across the state. A native of Roanoke, Illinois, Ford earned a bachelor's in geography from Illinois State University before completing his master's and Ph.D. at Texas A&M University. | Jeff Thompson, State Hazard Mitigation officer, serves the states, counties, and local jurisdictions, working directly with FEMA and their Hazard Mitigation grant programs managers to help ensure communities get the support and information needed to apply for BRIC/FMA grants. Jeff assists communities in grant management after they have been awarded. He has worked with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency for 3 years and briefed multiple counties, cities, and agencies about FEMA grant opportunities. He has 20 years of Active-Duty Air Force service working heavily in risk management (ret. 2019). | Randa Watts started with Prairie Rivers Network in January as the Clean Water Organizer. Her focus is on water quality, water infrastructure funding, education & outreach. Originally from Pittsfield, IL, Watts served in the Illinois Air National Guard and earned her bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Illinois Springfield.

Illinois Climate Bank (Recording | May 21, 2024):  Illinois Climate Bank provides funding and programs for communities to advance clean energy and climate resilience. This webinar covered the following opportunities: Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program, which allows building owners to borrow money for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other projects and make repayments via an assessment of their property tax bill; Grid Resilience Grants Funding Opportunity, which can cover a variety of investments, including microgrids, weatherization, and automation; Illinois Climate Bank Bridge Loan program for solar and energy efficiency; Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program Funding for Illinois; State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which assists small businesses, particularly Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (“SEDI”) & Very Small Businesses (“VSBs”) in financing small-scale climate projects, including renewable energy, clean air/water, EV charging, and more by offering up to $2 million of the loan at a very low-interest rate.

Water Infrastructure: Illinois EPA State Revolving Fund Programs and USDA SEARCH Grants (Recording | August 27, 2024): Explore how your community can access funding opportunities for its next water project. IEPA and USDA experts will join us to explain the State Revolving Fund and SEARCH Grant. The Illinois State Revolving Fund provides low-interest loans for stormwater/wastewater and drinking water projects. These funding cycles run annually from July to June and comprise the state Water Pollution Control Loan Program (WPCLP) and the Public Water Supply Loan Program (PWSLP). The USDA SEARCH Grant offers predevelopment feasibility studies, design, and technical assistance for proposed water and wastewater disposal projects in small, financially distressed rural communities. | Presenters: Nidhan Singh, Deputy Section Manager of State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan programs, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA); Jean Crowley, Community Programs Specialist, USDA

Current Funding Opportunities for Energy and the Environment (Recording | October 8, 2024): Explore current funding opportunities for green infrastructure, clean energy projects, and brownfields revitalization and cleanup. Our speakers will provide details on program requirements, eligibility, application processes, and available resources for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO) program, the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program, administered by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), and other EPA grant opportunities to revitalize brownfields proprieties that are abandoned or underutilized that may contain a hazardous substance, pollutants, or contaminants, which can hinder redevelopment, expansion, or reuse. | Presenters: Christine Davis, Manager for the Watershed Management Section of the Bureau of Water at Illinois EPA’s Springfield Headquarters; Monika Vadali, Senior Program Manager of the Renewable Energy Team at Great Plains Institute (GPI); Roxanne Anderson, Regional Director for EPA Region 5 at the Kansas State University Technical Assistance to Brownfields (KSU TAB). 

More than just energy independence: Using community benefits to promote local economic development (Recording | October 15, 2024 at 12PM CT): Learn about Community Benefits programs and how you can make sure renewable energy projects support your community beyond the energy they produce. There are types of Community Benefits programs: Community Benefit Agreements, Plans, and Ordinances and provide examples of the types of benefits your community can receive. | Presenters:  Kristine Chan-Lizardo specializes in outreach and engagement for Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Carbon-Free Electricity practice; Michael Parker, Executive Director and Managing Attorney at Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services.

Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program (TCGM) Information Session (Recording) | Jan 14): The Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program (TCGM) opened all grant competitions in December: Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Great Lakes TCGM Partnership was chosen to issue grants in EPA Region 5 which includes Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and 36 Federally Recognized Tribal nations. In partnership with the Midwest Environmental Justice Network, NDN Collective, and RE-AMP Network, the Minneapolis Foundation will award environmental and climate-related grants ranging from $25,000 to $350,000 to organizations working in disadvantaged and underserved communities throughout the Great Lakes region. Ryan Alaniz, PhD, RE-AMP Network Director of Rural Outreach for the EPA Region 5 Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program

Strategies to Build Resilience with Green Infrastructure and Hazard Mitigation Planning (Recording | Feb 11): Learn strategies to help communities mitigate natural hazards and build resilience.  Eliana Brown, Water Quality and Stormwater Specialist with Illinois Extension, discusses nature-based solutions and green infrastructure, sharing case studies that demonstrate how these strategies can reduce flood risks. Russell Medley, Community and Economic Development Educator with Illinois Extension, will explore hazard mitigation planning and the role of Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COADs) in supporting communities through disasters at the county level.

From Parking Lots to Landfills: Funding Solar Projects That Empower Your Community (Recording | Mar 25): Learn from local Illinois communities on how they transformed landfills and parking lots into beneficial solar projects! Attendees will hear from Scott Tess from the City of Urbana, who transformed an Urbana landfill into a community solar project that provides local power. Ryan Huffer from the City of Decatur, will share how they used a power purchase agreement to install solar on a parking lot in Decatur. Dee Tanner (AJ Electrical) and Jim Zeidler (Village of Steeleville) will share how they used direct pay tax credits to go solar in Steeleville. Each speaker will share their story, how these projects have benefitted their communities, and how they financed it. Amanda Pankau with Prairie Rivers Network will provide an overview of incentives and financing opportunities, and Monika Vadali from Great Plains Institute will share her community cohort that communities can join to transform their landfills into solar projects!

Unlocking Illinois Grant Funding: Building Capacity, Navigating Portals, & Writing Proposals (Recording | May 6): Learn about creating an actionable community vision to developing a strong, competitive grant proposal. Susan Odum shares best practices for developing a cohesive community vision and identifying actionable goals that lay the groundwork for an effective grant proposal, informed by her extensive experience working with rural communities. Adriana Perez provides an overview of Illinois state funding platforms, including GATA and Amplifund, helping participants understand how to navigate these systems. Dr. Connie Frey-Spurlock and Dr. Diane Cox share their expertise on developing compelling grant proposals, drawing on their extensive experience writing successful proposals at Southern Illinois University.

Planning Your Green Infrastructure Projects: Learn how communities fund, implement, and benefit from these projects (Recording | May 20): Darren Graves from the City of Peoria will share examples of how they implemented green infrastructure to address flooding concerns. Kim Erndt-Pitcher and Nina Struss from Prairie Rivers Network will share examples from their work of how green infrastructure can benefit communities. To finish, we’ll hear from Christine Davis with the Illinois EPA on their Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunity (GIGO), which opens this spring.

Behind the Panels: An Insider’s Look at Solar Development and Community Benefits (Recording | Aug 19): Learn about best practices for engaging with communities, examples of successful projects that have delivered meaningful local benefits, community-based perspectives on how solar can support local priorities and economic development, and  how local schools have secured benefits from a recent solar project in Eldorado, IL. Speakers: Danielle Peoples, Project Director, Atwell Consulting; Wade Halva, Southern Illinois Outreach Coordinator, Faith in Place; Cody Cusic, Interim Superintendent of Eldorado Community Unit School District #4 and Principal of Eldorado High School.