SMALL TOWN & RURAL ISSUES -
People, Trees, and Power: Tools and Strategies for Advancing Community Resilience

Weather and climate shape our economy. Temperature impacts everything from the amount of energy consumed to the ability for some occupations to work safely outside. Temperature and precipitation levels not only determine how much water we have to drink but also the performance of entire economic sectors, from agriculture to recreation and tourism. Extreme weather events, such as tornadoes, hail storms, droughts, and inland flooding can be particularly damaging. In the last ten years alone, extreme weather events have cost Wisconsin and the Midwest $96 billion in damage and resulted in 440 deaths. (NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information).  

Events such as flooding along the Kickapoo River, record-setting tornado streaks throughout the US, and Midwestern air quality affected by wild fires in the West, mean that resilience related disasters are now literally a weekly occurrence and strengthening community resilience is now an expectation of city planners, elected leaders, and planning consultants. The good news is that proactively engaging in resilience planning brings economic, social, and quality of life benefits to our communities.

 This session provided a broad review of resilience challenges and opportunities including, identifying the impacts these changes will have on Midwest communities, practical things planners can do to advance resilience their communities, and a survey of the following case studies: 

• Identifying Vulnerable Populations and Adaptation Strategies: City of Albert Lea, MN

• Tree Canopy Study and strategies for increased pollution absorption, stormwater uptake, energy efficiency, and social equity: City of Burnsville, MN

• Renewable Energy Potentials and Resilient Energy Strategies: Village of LaFarge, WI