Join members of the National Working Waterfront Network for a webinar about The Sustainable Working Waterfronts Toolkit, a web-based resource that contains a wealth of information about the historical and current use of waterfront space; the economic value of working waterfronts; and legal, policy, and financing tools that can be used to preserve, enhance, and protect these valuable areas.

The toolkit features case studies of successful working waterfront initiatives from communities around the country. Sharing this information with stakeholders—including waterfront businesses and industry, waterfront landowners, economic development districts, users and residents, and planners and governments—is an essential first step towards increasing knowledge, awareness, and implementation of the range of tools and options that are available.

The National Working Waterfront Network increases the capacity of coastal communities and stakeholders to make informed decisions, balance diverse uses, ensure access and plan for the future of working waterfronts and waterways. Working waterfronts are waterfront lands, waterfront infrastructure and waterways that are used for a water-dependent activity, such as ports, small recreational boat harbors, fishing docks, many more locations where people use and access the water. The network consists of municipalities, state and federal agencies, nonprofits, universities, Sea Grant programs, businesses, industry associations and individuals dedicated to supporting and enhancing our nation’s working waterfronts and waterways. Network partners provide access to the historical, economic, financial and policy information and re­sources they need to address issues at the local, state, regional and national level. They also maintain and strengthen a diverse network of part­ners who collaborate internally and act as liaisons to their stakeholders and communities.

The webinar will walk attendees through the website which contains information, data, and tools that individuals, communities, and governments at all levels can use to develop, inform and enhance their sustainable working waterfront initiatives. The toolkit and this webinar were made possible with support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Speakers include Hugh Cowperthwait of Coastal Enterprises Inc., Bob Swett of the University of Florida, Stephanie Showalter Otts of the National Working Waterfront Networ and Brian Kelsey of National Association of Development Organizations, who will moderate.

The previous webinars in this series addressed the U.S. Cluster Map and Registry , Stats America, Triple Bottom Line, and Regional Innovation Accelerator Network. Click here to see the recorded webinars.

Please contact NADO Deputy Executive Director Laurie Thompson at lthompson@nado.org if you have any questions about these webinars, or the series in general.  The webinars will be recorded and made available at www.knowyourregion.org.

These webinars are part of a series occurring during 2013 and 2014. The NADO Research Foundation is coordinating the webinars as part of its Know Your Region program which is funded through an agreement with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (#99-06-07548).