MWRD accepting applications for voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program, local stormwater partnership funding
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is seeking project applications from local government organizations within the MWRD’s corporate boundaries to address flooding and drainage problems through the MWRD’s voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program and Local Stormwater Partnership Program.
Applications accepted through March 12, 2021. An optional training webinar to discuss the application process is set for Friday, January 22^nd at 2 p.m.
More information can be found here.

Great Lakes Climate Outlook
Check out the regional climate outlook for January – March 2021. Regional Climate Quarterly (illinois.edu)

National Risk Index for Natural Hazards – evaluate your risks using this new application!
The National Risk Index is a new, online mapping application from FEMA that identifies communities most at risk to 18 natural hazards. This application visualizes natural hazard risk metrics and includes data about expected annual losses, social vulnerabilities and community resilience.
The National Risk Index's interactive web maps are at the county and census tract level and made available via geographic information system (GIS) feature services for custom analyses. With this data, you can discover a holistic view of community risk to natural hazards via online maps and data.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Residential Property Webinar
On Nov. 20, 2020, FEMA hosted a webinar to discuss residential property requirements and eligible sources of funding for its Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs: Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC). If you missed it, you can watch the video here: Hazard Mitigation Assistance Residential Property Webinar | FEMA.gov
 
Diving into the Digital Coast: Great Lakes virtual training
January 20^th – 2-3 p.m.
Join NOAA's Office for Coastal Management for this interactive webinar, where you will learn about a suite of coastal resilience resources available on NOAA's Digital Coast. You'll hear about resources for assessing coastal hazard risks and implementing nature-based solutions in the Great Lakes region and will have an opportunity to ask questions. It will be a great opportunity to explore some new resources! Register here.     
 
Stormwater Design and Flooding Management in a Changing Climate
January 26^th – 12-1:30 p.m.
Join NOAA and the Water Research Foundation, along with four water management practitioners, to learn about reevaluating stormwater design and flooding management. The talks will share highlights from the recent workshop series, "Climate and Weather Information for Small- and Medium-size Water Utilities." 
Who should attend? Local governments, resilience and sustainability planners, stormwater managers, civil engineers, modelers, community decision makers, watershed groups, interested public, state and federal government personnel. Learn more and register here.

Tackling Plastic Pollution in the Chicago Region
February 3^rd – 1-2 p.m.
Leveraging the power of collective action, Shedd Aquarium is working with policymakers, restaurants, school and scout groups, community leaders and many others to reduce dependency on single-use plastic and tackle plastic pollution from every angle. Learn more about the problem of plastic pollution in the Chicago region and the Great Lakes, Shedd’s efforts to advance smart solutions, and ways you can take action today. Register here.
 
Green Infrastructure Maintenance Training
February 19^th (virtual) & June 18^th (hands-on)
Interested in a career in green infrastructure maintenance? Learn the basics to confidently enter this new and exciting field. Are you currently maintaining projects? Learn skills to properly manage and care for rain gardens, bioswales, native plantings, trees and more. Learn how you can help communities work with nature to manage stormwater, solve issues related to climate change and improve quality of life by creating more green space in our neighborhoods for people, plants, and wildlife. Professional Development Hours and Continuing Education Credits are available.
This job training workshop is FREE! Register here. Sign up today – space is limited. Registration closes on February 15th.

Funding Opportunities
 

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Funding Opportunity
The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program (IISG) anticipates having $800,000 to invest in promising research projects relevant to southern Lake Michigan and surrounding coastal communities in northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana. Work is to be completed in the 2022-23 biennium. Investigators from educational or research institutions including universities, museums, and other NGOs, are eligible to serve as PI for these funds. Priority will be given to Illinois- and Indiana-based researchers. Researchers from other states are welcome to apply but proposed work must demonstrate how it will benefit the mission of IISG.
Prospective PIs must submit a preproposal to be considered for funding by 5 p.m. February 1, 2021. See the full announcement, including research priorities plus detailed guidance on preproposal development and submission, here. 
 
GLRI Trash Free Waters 2021
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking a second round of applications under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant program focused on keeping trash out of the Great Lakes. Approximately $5 million is available through the Trash-Free Waters Great Lakes program to fund approximately 10 large-scale projects to remove trash from Great Lakes harbors, rivermouths, and waterfronts. Non-federal government entities, NPOs, and colleges and universities are eligible to apply.
An informational webinar will be held on January 26^th, 2-3 p.m. Applications are due March 5, 2021. Learn more about this opportunity and register for the webinar here.
 
Smart Great Lakes Mini-Grant Program
The Great Lakes Observing System’s Smart Great Lakes Mini-Grant Program intends to support work that 1) improves Great Lakes observations, data management and/or information delivery, 2) contributes to the development of GLOS information technology platform to better address local, state, provincial, and/or regional Great Lakes information needs, and/or 3) helps advance real-time use and management of the lakes.The program will support projects ranging from $20,000 up to $150,000.  The awards will be made in April 2021, and projects will run for twelve months starting in May 2021.
Learn more about this opportunity here. Proposal submissions are due March 12, 2021. 

Job Opportunities
 

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant searching for Associate Director/Assistant Dean
The University of Illinois Extension is seeking a person to lead and develop statewide educational programming in energy and environment, air, land, and water, forestry, wildlife, outdoor economy, and systems that support these critical areas for the Illinois food, agriculture and outdoor industry. The Assistant Dean (Program Leader) for Natural Resources, Environment and Energy (NREE) serves as the Associate Director of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, among other responsibilities. Earned doctorate related to subject matter emphasis is required. View the complete job description and apply here. Closing date is March 12, 2021.
 
The Morton Arboretum is seeking applications for the newly created Director of Inclusion position. Learn more and apply here.
 
The Metropolitan Planning Council is looking for a Director for Environmental Policy. Learn more and apply here.

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