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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Restore America's Estuaries
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261021T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261021T170000
DTSTAMP:20260914T194124Z
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SUMMARY:2026 Great Lakes Regional Learning Exchange
DESCRIPTION:Join us for our second Great Lakes Regional Learning Exchange\, a free\, day-long event designed to build the capacity of organizations working to protect and restore the Great Lakes. This gathering brings together community leaders\, nonprofit professionals\, and regional experts to foster collaboration\, share knowledge\, and strengthen the skills needed to access and manage federal funding successfully.   \nMeals will be provided\, and all sessions are free and open to those committed to advancing locally led environmental solutions across the Great Lakes region.   \nTentative Agenda:\n8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Registration & Coffee  \n9:30 AM – 9:45 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks \n9:45 AM – 10:45 AM | Opening Plenary \nConnecting Land\, Water\, and Community \nTribal Nations have called the Great Lakes region home for generations. As the original stewards of these lands and waters\, Indigenous communities hold generations of knowledge rooted in relationships with local waterways\, ecosystems\, wildlife\, and cultural landscapes.  \nThis opening plenary will ground the Learning Exchange in Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives\, exploring how knowledge\, traditions\, and lived experiences shape relationships with the Great Lakes and inform stewardship and restoration. By beginning with Indigenous voices and perspectives\, the session will establish a foundation of place\, relationship\, respect\, and shared responsibility for the Great Lakes Regional Learning Exchange.  \n11:00 AM – 12:15 PM | Breakout Sessions \nSession Option A\nImplementing Workforce Development into Environmental Restoration \nEnvironmental restoration projects can create opportunities not only to improve ecosystems\, but also to build skills\, strengthen local economies\, and create pathways into environmental careers. This session will explore practical approaches for integrating workforce development into restoration projects and programs. Participants will hear about strategies for creating meaningful training and employment opportunities\, developing partnerships with workforce and educational organizations\, and connecting community members to restoration-related career pathways. The session will also highlight lessons learned and considerations for organizations interested in incorporating workforce development into their current or future environmental restoration efforts.  \n Session Option B\nBuilding Effective Grant Management Systems \nStrong grant management is built on well-designed organizational systems that support the day-to-day administration of grant-funded projects. This session will focus on the functional components of an effective grant management system. Participants of this session will explore practical approaches for organizing these functions using existing tools and processes\, while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce administrative burden. This session will help participants evaluate their current grant management practices and develop systems that support successful implementation of grant awards.  \n12:15 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch and Networking\n1:30 PM – 2:45 PM | Breakout Sessions \nSession Option A\nFostering Authentic Relationships + Building Partnerships \nStrong environmental restoration efforts are built on relationships rooted in trust\, shared goals\, and meaningful community participation. This session will explore approaches for developing and sustaining authentic partnerships among community-based organizations\, Tribal and Indigenous organizations\, government agencies\, nonprofits\, funders\, and other regional partners. Participants will discuss strategies for identifying potential partners\, establishing shared expectations\, navigating differences in organizational capacity and priorities\, and moving relationships beyond transactional or grant-specific partnerships. The session will also highlight how intentional relationship-building can strengthen community engagement and expand organizational capacity while supporting sustainable environmental outcomes.   \nSession Option B\nDeveloping Effective Grant Budget Narratives: Aligning Costs with Project Goals \nA strong budget narrative is more than a financial requirement; it is a critical tool for demonstrating how project resources support proposed activities and expected outcomes. Participants will learn practical strategies for translating project work plans into realistic cost estimates\, justifying personnel\, contractual\, equipment\, travel\, and other direct costs\, and ensuring alignment between the budget\, scope of work\, and funding requirements. The session will also explore common budgeting challenges and techniques for building budgets that are both compliant and adaptable throughout the grant lifecycle.  \n3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Closing Plenary \nCommunity Conservation: Philanthropy and Government Funding \nThis interactive closing plenary will center the experiences of community-based organizations advancing conservation and restoration across the Great Lakes region. Participating organizations will highlight one project from their work as a tangible example of how community priorities\, partnerships\, and funding come together to support on-the-ground restoration. Through these examples\, panelists will explore how philanthropic and government funding supports community-driven conservation\, including strategies for navigating different funding sources\, challenges and gaps in accessing and sustaining resources\, lessons learned\, and opportunities to strengthen long-term investment in locally driven conservation and restoration efforts.  \n4:00 PM – 4:15 PM | Closing Remarks & Adjournment\n4:15 PM – 5:00 PM | Conclusion & Networking\n  \nTarget Audience:\nThis event is designed for community-based organizations\, nonprofit leaders\, and program staff working to advance positive environmental outcomes in Great Lakes communities. Whether part of a small or emerging nonprofit new to federal funding\, or an established organization looking to strengthen your grant management infrastructure\, the Learning Exchange offers valuable training and peer learning opportunities. The event also welcomes tribal and Indigenous organizations\, local government partners\, technical assistance providers\, and regional coalitions committed to building community capacity and driving restoration efforts across the Great Lakes region.   \nAccommodations & Travel Stipends:\nThe Great Lakes Regional Learning Exchange will take place in Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood. For your convenience\, we recommend booking accommodations at the Courtyard by Marriott Cleveland University Circle\, located just a six-minute walk from the venue. The hotel is situated near Case Western Reserve University\, the Cleveland Museum of Art\, and the Cleveland Botanical Garden. \n\nFor more information\, please visit: Courtyard by Marriott Cleveland University Circle \n\nIf you need hotel and/or travel accommodations\, please contact Lisette Perez at lperez@estuaries.org   \nA limited number of stipends are available. If you would like to request stipend support\, please do so as soon as possible. Requests must be submitted by the end of the day on September 18. \n\nAirport & Transportation \n\n\nFor those traveling by air\, the primary airport serving the Cleveland area is Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). There are several options for getting from the airport to the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU)/University Circle area: \n\n·        Public Transportation – RTA Red Line: The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Red Line provides direct rail service from Cleveland Hopkins Airport to the CWRU/University Circle area. The RTA station is located on the lower level of the airport terminal. Take the Red Line eastbound toward Windermere. You can exit at Cedar–University or Little Italy–University Circle\, depending on which is closest to your hotel. The trip is approximately 40 minutes\, and no transfer at Downtown Cleveland/Tower City is required. From the station\, attendees can walk\, use a local shuttle\, or take a short rideshare to their hotel. \n·        Uber & Lyft: Rideshare services are available at Cleveland Hopkins and provide direct transportation to hotels in the CWRU/University Circle area. Follow airport signage to the designated rideshare pickup area after collecting your luggage. \n·        Taxi: Taxi service is also available from Cleveland Hopkins. Taxis can provide direct transportation from the airport to your hotel or the CWRU/University Circle area. \n·        Rental Cars: Several major rental car companies serve Cleveland Hopkins for those who prefer to have a vehicle during their stay. Keep in mind that parking availability and fees may vary depending on your hotel and destination. \n\nFor those who will not need a vehicle during their stay\, the RTA Red Line or rideshare may be the easiest options\, as CWRU and University Circle are served by public transportation\, and many destinations in the area are within walking distance. \n\n\nAs you make your travel arrangements\, please reach out if you have any questions about getting to Cleveland\, lodging\, or transportation. \n\nWe look forward to having you there! \n\n\n  \n 
URL:https://estuaries.org/event/2026-great-lakes-regional-learning-exchange/
LOCATION:Tinkham Veale University Center at Case Western Reserve University\, 10900 Euclid Avenue\, Cleveland\, Ohio\, 44106\, United States
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ORGANIZER;CN="Restore America's Estuaries":MAILTO:rae@estuaries.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261027T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261027T150000
DTSTAMP:20260121T153918Z
CREATED:20260121T153341Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T153918Z
UID:10000431-1793109600-1793113200@estuaries.org
SUMMARY:Environmental Action & Engagement Professionals Network (EAEP Network)
DESCRIPTION:This CoP will provide an inclusive space for all environmental professionals\, bringing together individuals in community engagement\, environmental education\, program management\, and restoration. This merged group will promote collaboration and knowledge sharing\, allowing professionals to benefit from cross-functional perspectives. \nFocus: An inclusive group open to all environmental professionals\, bringing together experts in community engagement\, environmental education\, program management\, and restoration to share cross-functional perspectives and solutions. \nMeets: Last Tuesday of Each Month \nREGISTER\nBy attending this event\, you are agreeing to uphold Restore America’s Estuaries’ Code of Conduct\, found HERE.
URL:https://estuaries.org/event/environmental-action-engagement-professionals-network-eaep-network-4/2026-10-27/
LOCATION:
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://estuaries.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/about-intro-cropped-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Restore America's Estuaries":MAILTO:rae@estuaries.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261028T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261028T150000
DTSTAMP:20260121T154010Z
CREATED:20251110T142859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T154010Z
UID:10000444-1793196000-1793199600@estuaries.org
SUMMARY:BIPOC Environmental Professionals Network
DESCRIPTION:This CoP will create a safe\, supportive\, and empowering space exclusively for Black\, Indigenous\, and People of Color (BIPOC) professionals in the environmental field. The community will focus on fostering professional growth\, offering mentorship opportunities\, and addressing the unique challenges that BIPOC individuals face in environmental careers.\n\n\nFocus: An inclusive group open to all environmental professionals\, bringing together experts in community engagement\, environmental education\, program management\, and restoration to share cross-functional perspectives and solutions. \nMeets: Last Wednesday of Each Month \nREGISTER\nBy attending this event\, you are agreeing to uphold Restore America’s Estuaries’ Code of Conduct\, found HERE.
URL:https://estuaries.org/event/bipoc-environmental-professionals-network-2-2/2026-10-28/
LOCATION:
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ORGANIZER;CN="Restore America's Estuaries":MAILTO:rae@estuaries.org
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