The WRWC is excited to announce that we were selected as a recipient for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Healthy Communities Grant! This grant program helps to fund community-based projects that focus on environmental justice and climate resiliency. This funding will go toward the WRWC’s work around climate adaptation and resiliency in the Woonasquatucket River Watershed. Last Friday, November 18th, EPA Regional Administrator David Cash and U.S. Senator Jack Reed joined the WRWC at Rising Sun Mills to celebrate this accomplishment.
Six Healthy Communities grants were awarded in Rhode Island, out of a total of 22 grants throughout New England. These six grants provided over $190,000 for investing in Rhode Island community projects that will help to make progress on pressing issues like public health, environmental and climate resilience-related challenges ranging from much needed food waste diversion to floodplain protection and toxics awareness. The WRWC received $30,000 for our Frontline Communities First! Residents Build Climate Resilience in the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Project. This project builds capacity of resident and student leaders in the impaired and climate-vulnerable lower Woonasquatucket River Watershed to develop plans and projects that address the environmental and public health challenges these communities already face; climate change related flooding from both excessive stormwater and sea level rise; poor water and habitat quality; urban heat island; and riverbank erosion and scouring.
The WRWC is thankful to David Cash, Senator Reed, and all of our community partners and supports for celebrating with us, and we are excited to use this fundings to continue ensuring climate resilience, and community-centered environmental justice efforts throughout the Watershed.
You can read the full announcement from the EPA here, or read the full story where we’re featured in GoLocalProv News.