Webinars

2021
• Alaska Native Cultures & Tribal Engagement (3 February)
  
  In this webinar, presenters Kelly Eldridge (Alaska District Archeologist) and Kendall Campbell (Alaska District Tribal Liaison) introduced background information on the history of Alaska Natives and the diversity of indigenous cultures in the state of Alaska. The presentation included helpful hints and best practices for successful engagements and working with Alaska Natives on Civil Works projects.
  
  2020
• Public Participation in the Time of COVID-19: Case Examples and Lessons Learned to Date (12 May)
  
  This webinar from the Collaboration and Public Participation Center of Expertise (CPCX) included a panel discussion moderated by Seth Cohen (CPCX) on lessons learned and best practices from Public Involvement Specialists Amy Echols (NWD), Jennifer Salak (NWO), and Hunter Merritt (SPK). CPCX and the panelists shared lessons learned from planning and executing recent virtual public engagements, and aimed to help participants better answer the question: What level and type of effort is necessary for my public engagement efforts now?
• An Introduction to Communication Planning (2 April)
  
  This webinar introduced participants to the new USACE Integrated Communication Planning Process. The process, which is applicable across the enterprise, is the result of a collaborative effort between the Public Affairs Office (PAO) and the Project Management, Planning, and Collaboration and Public Participation Communities of Practice (CoPs). Topics addressed included how to identify stakeholders and potential issues, determining communication goals and objectives, and developing key messages and talking points. The webinar was presented by Bill Peoples (Nashville District Public Affairs Chief) and Jacqueline Tate (Great Lakes and Ohio River Division Public Affairs Chief).
  
  2019
• Applied Learning Environments (12 December)
  
  This webinar provided an overview of Applied Learning Environments (ALEs) and how they can help the planning community build empathy and collaboration with stakeholders, facilitate the development of more innovative alternatives, and save both time and money during the planning process. ALEs are simulated environments designed to engage participants in active/applied learning to achieve specific learning objectives (e.g., ERDC Ship/Tow Simulator, emergency preparedness table top exercises, multi-hazard tournaments, etc.) The webinar was presented by John Kucharski (HEC, Senior Economist), Andrea Carson (LRP, Community Planner), and Hunter Merritt (SPK, Water Resources Planner) and included an ALE application in which webinar attendees participated.
  
  2017
• Floodplain Management Plans, A Short Course (6 April)
  
  Brian Rast, with the Collaboration and Public Participation Center of Expertise, Institute for Water Resources, presented an overview of floodplain management plans and described how development and implementation of these plans can contribute towards increased community resilience. Non-Federal interests are required to prepare and implement a floodplain management plan as part of construction of cost-shared flood risk management or coastal storm risk management project (Policy Guidance Letter 52). The presentation also shared examples of community-adopted floodplain management plans
  
  2016
• Shared Vision Planning through the Multi-Hazard Tournament Framework (5 May)
  
  Dr. Harvey Hill (IWR), Marcia Hackett (Ft. Worth District), Michelle Hamor (Baltimore District), and Jason Smith (Rock Island District) shared their experiences with using the Multi-Hazard Tournament framework developed at IWR to engage communities and other state and federal agencies in planning and problem solving across multiple hazards / objectives.
  
  2015
• SMART PLANNING & Effective Stakeholder Collaboration (9 June)
  
  Gigi Coulson (New Orleans District) and Joel Benegar (San Francisco District) provides updated recommendations on how to cost effectively and efficiently incorporate vital public and stakeholder involvement into our diverse array of SMART planning projects. There is no one-size-fits-all solution and we understand that without proper consideration of public involvement and stakeholder collaboration, our projects can be left with significant risks and uncertainties during our formal public reviews. This webinar will offer background about the challenge and importance of incorporating public involvement into our projects. It will also provide suggestions and possible strategies on how we might use existing collaborative tools to implement public involvement strategies and help your project avoid common pitfalls.
• USACE Tribal Engagement and SMART Planning (2 April)
  
  Chris Koeppel, RPA, Mississippi Valley Division Archaeologist and Tribal Liaison, discussed opportunities and tools to integrate government-to-government consultation with Federally recognized tribes within the SMART Planning framework. His presentation also includes talking points for communication with Federally recognized tribes.