LEARNING NETWORK SERVICES
UrbanWatersLearningNetwork.org
provides a "one-stop" public web site
with resources that help local urban
waters practitioners and advocates
maximize their local impact. Learning
Network services are available to all
interested groups. Services include:
•	Urban Waters Tool Box is a
curated set of more than 90 tools,
guides and templates, including
stormwater calculators, rain garden
design templates, monitoring
protocols and outreach materials in
a number of languages.
•	Impact Stories describe how
local projects are making an
impact in their own communities.
These stories allow urban waters
practitioners and advocates to learn
how their peers across the country
are successfully implementing
projects in communities and
watersheds similar to their own.
•	Urban Waters Learning Forum,
is a chance for Network members
to meet. Held just before the
opening of River Network's River
Rally, it brings together urban
waters practitioners and advocates
for this annual face-to-face learning
event where participants exchange
resources, technical expertise and
connect with organizations facing
the same challenges.
•	Members-Only Online Exchange
virtually connects members with
each other so they can share
resources, post questions and
learn about training opportunities.
Members can customize the
content they receive based on their
interests.
THE URBAN WATERS LEARNING NETWORK
The Urban Waters Learning Network (Learning Network) is a peer-to-peer
network of people and organizations working to restore and revitalize locai
waterways, many located in socioeconomically challenged and environmentally
overburdened urban communities.
With funding from EPAs Urban Waters Program, Groundwork USA and River
Network coordinate the Learning Network. To assist members, they draw on
decades of experience helping local organizations with on the ground projects
and capacity building.
Learning Network technical expertise includes:
•	Stormwater & Green Infrastructure
•	Outreach & Education (includes youth programs)
•	Water Quality (includes trash and monitoring programs)
» Greenways, Blueways & Riverbank Restoration
•	Environmental Justice
Over 389 individuals are members of the Learning Network:
6%academia
8% state &
local gov't
11% other
federal
partners
56%
representing
19% EPA
How can my organization benefit?
The Learning Network strengthens the effectiveness of urban waters
practitioners across the country by providing them with:
•	Opportunities to network with peers on topics of their choice through
conference calls, online exchange and face-to-face events
•	Training and Knowledge Sharing which builds local capacity through
webinars on technical and organizational development topics
•	Mentoring and Coaching for individuals and organizations provided by
River Network and Groundwork USA
•	Boosted Effectiveness via access to proven methods that drive
measurable results
•	Funding and Technical Resources recommended by members to peers
via the members-only online exchange

-------
ACCESS LEARNING NETWORK
WEBINARS
The Learning Network presents webinars based on what Members
want to learn about and features Member projects. Check on
upcoming webinars as well as ones already recorded (below) at
www. Urban WatersLearningNetwork. org.
Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring: Getting Useful Data
& Engaged Community Members
This webmar is for those who are thinking of launching or expanding
their volunteer water quality monitoring programs.
•	Stacey Eriksen with ERA covers the importance of framing your
research question so the data collected can be used toward
water protection and restoration goals. She outlines steps to
take on drafting a Quality Assurance Project Plan (uAPP).
•	Jason Ulseth with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper in Atlanta,
Georgia, speaks about their volunteer recruitment and training;
data collection and management protocols; and how they've
been so successful in just five short years.
•	Rachel Hansgen with Groundwork Denver describes the key
role that partnerships played in developing their three year-old
monitoring program, particularly their collaboration with schools
and a local university.
Creating Lasting Connections on Social Media
In this webinar, Andrea Berry of Idealware shows you what works
on social media, how you can engage with your audience and move
them up a ladder from a simple "like" to valued supporters, donors, or
volunteers.
Urban Waters Outreach: Engaging Minority Audiences
When engaging our diverse and changing urban communities, it's essential to recognize different languages and cultural
nuances. Reflecting this reality, this webinar presents initiatives by three urban waters organizations that have succeeded
in building trust and engagement with minority audiences and among non-English speakers. Presenters include Beverly
Woods with Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, Massachusetts; Alberto Rodriguez with the Duwattush River
Cleanup Coalition, Seattle, Washington; and Cheryl Jenkins with the City of Nampa, Idaho.
Greenways:The Urban Waters Experience
•	Ryan Parker with Freshwater Land Trust, Alabama, describes their grant-funded work to clean up brownfields; carve
out green spaces for park land; and create a greenway along Village Creek.
•	Robin Corathers with Groundwork Cincinnati, in Ohio, shares her organization's twenty-year effort, now in its last
phase, to bring back green space in an environmental justice community.
•	Jill Erickson shares the Heartland Conservation Alliance's unique project to develop tools to help find the best vacant
city lots to preserve as open space in Kansas City, Missouri.
For more information please visit www.UrbanWatersLearningNetwork.org
ne'tT® f U R BAN St Waters
connecting people saving rivers
LEARNING NETWORK
CHANGING PI
CHANGING L
GROUNDWORK
USA
Funded by US EPA

-------