Continuing our discussion with Janessa Wilkins, the Seventh Ward alderman of the City of Rockford, she further describes how the Seventh Ward is impacted by being located in a floodplain. She highlights the importance of individual empowerment through education and being an active member of the community, emphasizing how community residents have the power to band together and make things happen for their neighborhoods themselves.

Meeting with Janessa Wilkins, the Seventh Ward alderman of the City of Rockford, we discuss Rockford’s social and environmental issues from the lens of the Seventh Ward, an under-served ward on the northwest side of the City. We discuss work that is being done and the barriers preventing what still needs to be done to improve the Seventh Ward for the residents that currently live there.

Meeting with Brad Holcomb, the stormwater manager from the City of Rockford, we discuss Rockford's environmental issues from the perspective of  stormwater management. We discuss the presence of various floodplains throughout the City and explore how green infrastructure can aid with these issues. We also discuss sustainability and environmental justice concerns in relation to floodplain management and how that impacts the community.

Continuing our conversation with Barb Chidley, the Neighborhood Specialist of the City of Rockford, she explains further why inclusive and all-encompassing neighborhood wellness is key to sustainability and environmental justice. In order to see true and positive change, she emphasizes how authentic connection is necessary to better individual neighborhoods, and thus benefiting the City as a whole.

Meeting with Barb Chidley, the Neighborhood Specialist of the City of Rockford, we discuss sustainability and environmental justice from the perspective of neighborhood health. She shares with us why it is important that we focus on neighborhood, as well individual, health and wellness to achieve overall community health and sustainability. We discuss how connectivity is vital to these efforts.

Continuing our conversation with Robert Wilhelmi, the Brownfields Redevelopment Specialist, and Kyle Saunders, the Director of Public Works, both working for the City of Rockford, Illinois, we will keep discussing Rockford’s environmental issues, and how the City has been working towards a more sustainable future in the context of brownfields redevelopment and stormwater management. Rob and Kyle dive deeper into this discussion, highlighting the measures that the City of Rockford has been making towards equitable implementation of these city improvements.

Meeting with Mark Luthin, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Natural Land Institute and a volunteer steward for the Boone County Conservation District, as well as a retired environmental educator, we discuss conservation and sustainability in the greater Rockford metropolitan area, while emphasizing the importance of education in combating environmental issues. As part of an equity task force for the Natural Land Institute, Mark also stresses the importance of equity in combating these issues.

Meeting with Robert Wilhelmi, the Brownfields Redevelopment Specialist, and Kyle Saunders, the Director of Public Works, both working for the City of Rockford, Illinois, we will be discussing Rockford’s environmental issues, and how the City has been working towards a more sustainable future. Rob highlights various brownfields redevelopment projects the City has done and how that has affected its urban core, while Kyle explains new projects Rockford has been undertaking within Public Works on the water side.

Continuing our conversation with Dan Kane, executive director of the Boone County Conservation District, we discuss sustainability and urban development further, focusing on conservation design. Dan highlights conservation projects throughout Belvidere, a neighboring town that resides within the greater Rockford metropolitan area.

Meeting with Dan Kane, executive director of the Boone County Conservation District, we discuss sustainability and rapid urban sprawl in the Rockford region within the context of conservation. Exploring sustainable development further, we discuss combating urbanization by integrating conservation within our residential neighborhoods and utilizing paths connecting these various natural spaces, increasing accessibility and awareness throughout the community.