The COVID 19 pandemic has reinforced that urban parks, particularly waterfront parks, are essential spaces for health and resilience. Rivers, lakes and harbors provide the opportunity for expanded recreational use, yet often remain walled off in highly urbanized areas.
This panel will explore how floating wetlands can be used to increase access, improve water quality and mitigate the effects of climate change across three case studies in Boston, Chicago and Baltimore. Representatives will speak to the opportunities, barriers, successes and logistics of floating wetland initiatives. The discussion will also focus on incorporating authentic community engagement into these innovative projects.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Learn how floating wetland technology can help to mitigate the effects of climate change and improve water quality in urban waterways
- Examine design and permitting approaches to successful floating wetland installations
- Explore opportunities for building environmental literacy and equity through partnerships and creative engagement tools
- Understand the value of experiential scientific research in community collaboration
Keynote Speaker


Lena Chan
Senior Director, International Biodiversity Conservation Division, National Parks Board of Singapore