SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE- Program Overview

NRPA’s Sustainability in Practice program is a 16-week immersive, cohort-style program for rural and suburban park and recreation professionals to participate alongside a partner CBO. Whether ready to take action or uncertain where to begin, park agencies with a vested interest in equitable environmental resilience are invited to apply to receive technical assistance, practical training and peer networking opportunities to develop and implement community-driven sustainability practices at their parks.

What to Expect

• Ten park agencies and 10 community-based organization partners per cohort (20-25 participants)
• Eight live, three-hour virtual workshop sessions hosted biweekly over four months, led by NRPA and subject matter experts covering topics, such as: attainable park-specific sustainability actions, equitable planning frameworks and assessment principles, best practices for strategic relationships and capacity building, collaborative evaluation tools, and authentic marketing techniques
• One one-on-one coaching session for agencies and their CBO partners with NRPA staff and/or subject matter experts to offer tailored advice and support with executing goals, strengthening partner relationships and overcoming obstacles.
• Asynchronous trainings, professional development, peer-to-peer support and networking opportunities offered as optional additional support.
• A $10,000 stipend for each participating Community Based Organization (CBO) partner to support their time and collaboration with park agency to strengthen relationships and move toward their collective goal
• Opportunities for national visibility through NRPA and partner publications 

Participant Requirements

At least one representative from each awarded park agency and one representative from their partner Community Based Organization must attend and participate in all eight sessions of the cohort, as well as the one-on-one coaching session.

Session Dates (Wednesdays):

• June 12, 2024: 1-4 p.m. EDT
• June 26, 2024: 1-4 p.m. EDT
• July 10, 2024: 1-4 p.m. EDT
• July 24, 2024: 1-4 p.m. EDT
• August 7, 2024: 1-4 p.m. EDT
• August 21, 2024: 1-4 p.m. EDT
• September 4, 2024: 1-4 p.m. EDT
• September 18, 2024: 1-4 p.m. EDT

Note: Coaching sessions will be scheduled individually with park and CBO partners in July-August.

Visit the Sustainability in Practice Program webpage to learn more.