PHE Staff Presenting at Conferences across Pennsylvania

PHE is hitting the road in Pennsylvania, and we’re thrilled to share that Dawn Schilling, PE, AICP, Associate Principal at PHE, recently presented at the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals (PAEP) Conference in September. She will also be speaking at the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association’s (APA-PA) Annual Conference this October. Both conferences provide valuable educational and networking opportunities for environmental and planning professionals across the region. Attendees can explore emerging topics, discover innovative projects, exchange insights, connect with colleagues, and engage with industry leaders.

Dawn’s presentation focuses on the recently completed International Joint Commission (IJC) project: “Climate Change Adaptation for Community Resilience Across the Great Lakes Region.” The IJC is a binational organization representing both Canada and the United States, dedicated to managing the lakes and rivers along the border. It actively investigates and addresses transboundary issues, and recognized the pressing need for climate change adaptation among small- to medium-sized communities within the Great Lakes Region.

Many small- and medium-sized communities around the Great Lakes struggle to find the resources and tools necessary to effectively plan for and mitigate the impacts of climate change on their water resources. Recognizing this gap, the IJC identified the need for a resource that offers a simplified resiliency planning framework, along with practical tools and additional resources to aid communities in their adaptation efforts. In response, the PHE team collaborated with the IJC to create a comprehensive guide and toolkit. This resource features a six-step resilience framework, a catalog of existing tools and case studies, as well as new worksheets and guidance designed to support effective implementation of the framework.

The PAEP session in September 2024 provided attendees with an update on the guide and toolkit, which was nearing completion. The upcoming APA-PA session in October will mark the conclusion of the project, offering an overview of the final guide and toolkit along with the latest status update. Dawn will be presenting on Sunday, October 13, at 2:00 PM at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center.  We can’t wait to see you there!