A Framework for a Heat-Ready Nation

Interstate 10 running through a green landscape

Extreme heat is now the deadliest climate threat in the U.S., and its impacts are growing along corridors like I-10, where communities face rising temperatures, rapid growth, and strained infrastructure. That’s why the new “Framework for a Heat-Ready Nation” from the Federation of American Scientists and the Ten Across Resilience Network is such a critical…

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State Allocations of Clean Water Revolving Funds?

people in a conference room with a presentation going in the background

SSDN’s Environmental Finance Center staff joined partners at the Rural Community Assistance Partnership’s National State Revolving Fund Infrastructure Financing and Training Workshop to learn, share, and strengthen our collective efforts to ensure water affordability and resilience. The need is urgent: according to EPA, roughly 9% of U.S. households spend more than 4.5% of their income…

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Grant Spotlight: Investing in Local Climate Resilience

map of U.S. with grant cities marked

We’re thrilled to announce that several of our member communities have been awarded grants through the Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI)! Here’s what’s happening: Boynton Beach, FL, has received $100,000 to develop a data-informed, community-driven urban heat resilience strategy, including efforts around tree canopy expansion and cooling infrastructure. Chatham County, GA, secured $110,787 to create…

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Richmond Battles Heat with New Cool Kit

Child playing in outdoor splashpad

The City of Richmond’s Office of Sustainability (an SSDN member community) just released its first-ever heat mitigation guide, the Richmond Cool Kit, with 25 evidence-based strategies to help city staff and community members tackle extreme heat. It’s a timely, practical resource designed to cool down both public and private spaces—because every degree matters. We’re proud…

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Green Minds Podcast: Careers in Sustainability

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Our August episode of Green Minds dives into the realities of landing—and thriving—in sustainability jobs, especially in local government. From breaking into the field to stepping into leadership roles like Chief Sustainability Officer, our guests Abena Ojetayo with the City of Tallahassee and Shelby Buso, formerly with the City of Atlanta and now with the…

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Community Resilience Hubs: Infrastructure That Connects and Protects

Town grid with glowing church and two other buildings

By Anita Tillman, AMCorp International Every city needs bridges. Roads. Drainage systems. We invest in these structures not just because we use them every day, but because they help us weather the disruption, stay connected, and return to normal after disaster. Today, the Southeast faces a new kind of infrastructure imperative – one designed not…

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SE Communities Leading the Way on Heat Resilience

screen shot of Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring Locations

We’re excited to share that New Orleans, LA, and Memphis, TN, both SSDN members, have been selected as 2025 Community Science Partners through the Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring (CCHM), a national collaboration of science centers and technical experts. This work will support locally driven efforts to collect and use data on extreme heat, air…

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Celebrating Our TN Member Communities

Four photos of various Tennessee cities with Celebrating Tennessee in the middle

From microgrids to municipal fleet transitions, check out what our member communities in Tennessee are doing:   Knoxville is driving change with a Green Fleet Policy, a decarbonization plan for public transit, and a partnership with Knoxville Utilities Board’s community solar array program. It’s aiming for a 50% cut in municipal emissions by 2030 and…

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Green Minds Podcast: Climate Action Plans

Square Green Minds podcast logo with head with leaf inside and squiggly line behind

Does your community have a Climate Action Plan, Climate Vulnerability or Risk Assessment? Are you interested in one? Take a deep dive with us as we explore what makes a successful plan on our Green Minds podcast, which just dropped today. Host Dr. Robyn Byers interviews Leif Olson of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Michelle Midanier of…

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West Palm Beach Energy Milestone

Two women and two men pose for a photo with their award

We’re celebrating a big win for the SSDN member community West Palm Beach, which has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as a 2024 Better Buildings Challenge Goal Achiever!  By reducing energy use by 16% across all municipal buildings and infrastructure, the City cemented its status as a leader in municipal energy efficiency…

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