Recognizing that communities on the frontlines of flooding often discover best practices and cutting-edge approaches firsthand, the American Flood Coalition (AFC) lifts up the work of local innovators to inform policy at all levels.
AFC is unique in its ability to work directly with local members and amplify their voices in Washington, D.C., ensuring that their perspectives are reflected in national flood policy. We believe that the most innovative solutions often emerge from local insights, and as part of our commitment to that work, we are pleased to fund our first-ever cohort of local flood solutions grantees. Over the course of their projects, AFC will help to scale best practices from the grantees’ efforts to the state and federal level.
AFC is pleased to announce the members of the 2020-2021 grantee cohort and their funded projects:
The Coalition for Environment, Equity and Resilience (CEER). CEER will support efforts to reinvigorate the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) Community Task Force. This project will set the County and HCFCD up for success in implementing an equitable approach to flood resilience. In 2019, CEER launched a successful campaign for the Harris Thrives Resolution, in which the County directed HCFCD to take meaningful steps to equitably distribute the County’s $2.5 billion bond for flood mitigation, such as incorporating the Social Vulnerability Index into project prioritization.
Wetlands Watch. Wetlands Watch will work with two municipalities in coastal Virginia to create resilient land use strategies that combine buyouts, conservation, and market-based tools to reduce flood risk and benefit landowners and communities. Wetlands Watch’s work in the City of Chesapeake and the City of Norfolk will generate best practices for other communities utilizing the FEMA Hazard Mitigation program for buyouts or implementing resilient zoning ordinances.
Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development (Northeast Iowa RC&D). Northeast Iowa RC&D will measure the flood reduction benefits of multi-cropping, a regenerative agriculture practice in which farmers plant cover crops that improve soil quality. Their research will be used to estimate multi-cropping’s flood reduction potential at the watershed scale, and its implications will be transferable to other regions.
We are honored to partner with these organizations on their important work to advance just and locally-relevant solutions to flooding.
“The American Flood Coalition is thrilled to support and amplify the important work of our local grantees,” said Melissa Roberts, Executive Director of the American Flood Coalition. “These organizations are true innovators, developing solutions to flooding in communities from Harris County, Texas, to Southern Virginia to Northeast Iowa. We look forward to learning from them and connecting their work to our broader efforts in Washington, D.C. and across the country.”
This grant program is generously supported by the Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust.
