The 2016 Urban Waters National Training Workshop, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and on behalf of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP), will convene July 26th – 28th, 2016 in Arlington, Virginia. The UWFP seeks to reconnect urban communities, particularly those that are overburdened or economically distressed, with their waterways to become stewards for clean urban waters. It is supported by 14 Federal agencies and more than 28 non-governmental organization partners working in 19 designated locations. Through the Partnership, communities gain economic, environmental, and social benefits, and collaborate with Federal agencies, state and local agencies, and community-led efforts to achieve common goals.

“The partnership offers an opportunity to realize urban waterway and watershed revitalization goals that are larger than, and beyond the resources of any individual community, agency, or mission.” Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Specifically, the partnership aims to:

• Break down federal program silos to promote more efficient and effective use of federal resources through better coordination and targeting of federal investments;
• Recognize and build on local efforts and leadership, by engaging and serving community partners;
• Work with local officials and effective community-based organizations to leverage area resources and stimulate local economies to create local jobs;
• Learn from early and visible victories to fuel long-term action;

The UWFP aligns with President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative, which calls on agencies to support innovative community efforts to provide safe, healthy and accessible outdoor spaces.

The free three-day conference will consist of dynamic speakers, interactive sessions and networking opportunities for local leaders in the Urban Waters Movement. The goals of this workshop are:

1. Strong Urban Waters Movement: To inspire and strengthen the urban waters movement and to build and sustain robust effective partnerships across the country;
2. Authentic Community Engagement: To strengthen participants’ skills in working together with underserved communities to address community-based priorities and environmental justice challenges;
3. Partnerships on the Ground: To connect, share and learn with other innovators about how to convene, engage, and succeed in the work of the partnership.

Deadline to register for the 2016 Urban Waters National Training Workshop is July 13th, 2016. For more information on this free conference and to register, visit the following link here.