Training hosted by NRPA in partnership with WEF and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Ashburn, Va. (May 13, 2019) — The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), in partnership with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, will host a park-focused National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) Training, May 14–16, 2019, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Twenty-seven professionals responsible for the land management, maintenance and operation of municipal parks across the country, and who received scholarships, will participate in the training, which is part of NRPA’s Great Urban Parks Campaign.
“We are excited to host this training alongside our partners at the Water Environment Federation and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation,” said Kellie May, NRPA vice president of programs. “As a leader in conservation, our goal is to ensure park professionals everywhere have the proper skills and knowledge to construct, inspect and maintain high-quality green infrastructure in parks in order to address community flooding issues and build climate resilience.”
Initiated under the leadership of WEF and DC Water, NGICP is a national-level certification program, aimed at creating a pool of credentialed field workers who possess the foundational knowledge to properly build, inspect and maintain green stormwater infrastructure practices in communities nationwide.
“We are thrilled to partner with the National Recreation and Park Association and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to offer training in green infrastructure to individuals from municipal parks across the country,” said Eileen O’Neill, WEF executive director. “This highlights that green infrastructure is not only a valuable approach in urban settings but can have multiple benefits in park landscapes as well.”
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is considered a “green infrastructure pioneer” for the way the city is using a comprehensive, nature-based approach to deal with stormwater management and leveraging parks and open space to meet federal water-quality mandates. Training participants will learn firsthand how the city is tackling these issues and how they can address similar issues with green infrastructure in parks.
“As the stewards of more than 10,200 acres of parkland, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation continually seeks ways to care for our environment and establish more sustainable maintenance and operations practices,” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, commissioner, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. “We are thrilled to host the NGICP Training and share how green infrastructure has benefited our stormwater management efforts, improved park aesthetics, and boosted quality of life for surrounding communities.”
Green stormwater infrastructure in parks is an efficient way to improve water quality, increase climate resiliency through reduced flooding, enhance the ability of the site to hold and retain stormwater, and improve wildlife habitat, all while providing increased access to nature and outdoor recreation in underserved communities. Additional information about the benefits of green stormwater infrastructure in parks is available here.
To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.
To learn more about WEF, visit www.wef.org.
To learn more about Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, visit www.phila.gov/departments/philadelphia-parks-recreation.
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About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.
About the Water Environment Federation
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 35,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation. To learn more, visit www.wef.org.