Program Overview
Climate-driven changes in precipitation and land use are reshaping flood risk across Ohio and throughout the Midwest, challenging long‑standing assumptions about where, when, and how communities face danger1. Even areas historically considered low‑risk (or casually labeled “climate havens”) are now experiencing more frequent and intense flooding events, revealing vulnerabilities in both infrastructure and social preparedness2. This Environmental Professionals Network program brings together state leaders, researchers, engineers, and community practitioners to explore how Ohio can strengthen its collective resilience. At the center of this conversation is a pressing question: How can communities learn from one another before disaster strikes?
You'll hear from speakers about the evolving interplay between top‑down risk management systems and bottom‑up community action as federal funding for emergency response wanes3, which has highlighted a growing need for shared knowledge, peer-to-peer support, and a wider culture of preparedness. Discussions will address both the social and technical dimensions of flood risk, including barriers to equitable adaptation, the importance of local trust networks, andengineering considerations for floodplain management.
This EPN event is presented in coordination with the Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO) and serves as WMAO’s Spring Conference. Following the breakfast, attendees are invited to stay for an extended in‑person workshop designed by and for WMAO’s water management community. This workshop provides water professionals, students, and local leaders a deeper dive into the communication, planning, and engineering challenges posed by Ohio’s evolving flood landscape. It is worth two CEU/PDH credits and offers participants the opportunity to engage directly with experts, explore new tools and resources, and strengthen the collaborative capacity needed to reduce flooding risk in Ohio's rural communities.
References
1U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “What Climate Change Means for Ohio” (2016).
2Environmental Health News, “Climate disasters challenge the myth of ‘safe’ havens.” (2025)
3AP News, "State emergency officials say new rules and delays for FEMA grants put disaster response at risk." (2025)
Agenda
7:15 a.m. Doors open at Ohio State 4-H Center; Coffee served for in-person attendees.
7:40 a.m. Breakfast buffet served for in-person attendees.
8:00 a.m. Livestreaming service begins for virtual attendees. Tim Haab, PhD, director, Ohio State’s School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) provides welcome remarks.
8:05 a.m. SENR Student Ambassador introduces the event themes and speakers.
8:10 a.m. A series of speakers provide presentations covering the structural engineering and community education strategies to mitigate the risk of severe floods in rural communities throughout Ohio, including:
- Kelsea Best, PhD, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University
- Alicia Silverio, Program Manager, Ohio National Floodplain Insurance Program, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
9:05 a.m. Audience in-person and virtual question and answer session.
9:30 a.m. Harrison Fried, PhD, Program Director, EPN, concludes breakfast program and shares update on EPN Connect, a new environmental networking website.
Networking break for in-person attendees and transition to an extended educational program for water management professionals and students. This in-person only session is open to all, and will offer participants the opportunity to further interact with visiting guest speakers, and to enhance their knowledge of the economic, policy, and engineering considerations for water reuse in Ohio.
The remainder of this program is worth 2 CEU and PDH hours and is intended for in-person guests only.
9:45 a.m. Welcome remarks by Cindy Brookes, Senior Rural Development Specialist, Rural Community Assistance Program at Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, and Board President, WMAO.
9:50 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Workshop session. Title and speakers to be announced soon.
11:45 a.m. Program concludes.