As climate change intensifies, flooding is no longer a distant possibility for Washington, DC, it’s a present and growing reality. In response, Nature Forward, alongside powerful community partners, Ward 7 Resilience Hub Community Coalition, The Green Scheme, and Washington Interfaith Network has expanded and reimagined Building Flood Wise Communities Workshop Series.
Through the support of the EPA through the Green Healthy Homes Initiative, this new three-part series builds on past success while deepening community engagement and expanding into Wards 5 and 6, bringing critical knowledge and tools to more neighborhoods across the city.
Why This Matters Now
Flooding in DC is increasing due to heavier rainfall, aging infrastructure, and rising sea levels impacting the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. Communities, especially in historically disfavored communities, are disproportionately affected. This workshop series recognizes that resilience must be community-driven, accessible, and rooted in lived experience.
By expanding geographically and thematically, this initiative is not just about awareness, it’s about equipping residents to act, prepare, and lead.
The 3-Part Workshop Series
Each session is designed to build on the last, moving participants from understanding to action.
Workshop #1: Flooding 101
This foundational workshop breaks down:
- What causes flooding in DC
- The difference between coastal, riverine, and urban flooding
- How climate change is reshaping local risk
- How your neighborhood is impacted and why
Workshop #2: Preparedness for Every Emergency
This workshop centers practical, everyday readiness, ensuring participants are prepared not just for floods but for any emergency. This session includes:
- Building a household emergency plan
- Determining personal and family needs for go-bags and everyday carry kits
- Understanding evacuation vs. shelter-in-place decisions
- Preparing for power outages, extreme heat, and other events
Workshop #3 Community Resilience in Practice
The final session shifts from individual preparedness to collective action:
- What does a resilient community actually look like?
- How can neighbors support one another before, during, and after disasters?
- What role do local organizations, faith institutions, and mutual aid networks play?
- What resources are available and actions can I sign up for today?
- Overview of RiverSmart Homes Program with application support
During these workshops, participants engage in real-life scenarios, mapping community assets and identifying opportunities to strengthen local resilience systems that are specific to their ward.
Expanding to Wards 5 & 6
One of the most exciting developments is the expansion into Wards 5 and 6, ensuring that more residents have access to these vital resources in areas that may appear to experience less flood risk (based on mapping) but actually have been impacted more than expected due to the frequency and intensity of flood events.
We are excited to have amazing partnerships with trusted community spaces for each of these workshops with the presence of organizations such as Empower DC (Ward 5-Ivy City) and Southwest Neighborhood Assembly to facilitate care and comfort. As we expand to these new areas, we look forward to being in community with for this work.
Thank you to these community spaces that will host these workshops:
- Ivy City Community Center Clubhouse (Ward 5)
- Southwest Business Improvement District (Ward 6)
- Marshall Heights Community Development Organization (Ward 7)
- Martha’s Table (Ward 8)
The Building Flood Wise Communities Workshop Series is more than a set of training; it’s a growing movement toward collective resilience in DC. As climate challenges intensify, initiatives like this ensure that communities are not left behind, but instead are equipped, connected, and empowered to respond.
Stay connected with Nature Forward and its partners to learn about upcoming workshop dates in Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8. Bring a neighbor, a friend, or a fellow community member, because resilience grows stronger when we build it together.
Use the table below to identify workshops you can attend and register for workshops in each Ward:
| Location and Time | Dates | Registration Link |
| Ward 5 Ivy City Community Center 6:30-8:00 pm | Workshop 1: Tuesday, July 7 Workshop 2: Tuesday, July 14 Workshop 3: Tuesday, July 21 | https://actionnetwork.org/events/rise-above-ward-5-workshops/ |
| Ward 6 Southwest BID 6:30-8:00 pm | Workshop 1: Tuesday, June 2 Workshop 2: Wednesday, June 10 Workshop 3: Wednesday, June 17 | https://actionnetwork.org/events/rise-above-ward-6-workshops/ |
| Ward 7 Marshall Heights Community Development Organization 6:30-8:00 pm | Workshop 1: Thursday, March 12 Workshop 2: Tuesday, March 24 Workshop 3: Thursday, April 2 | https://actionnetwork.org/events/rise-above-ward-7-workshops/ |
| Ward 8 Martha’s Table 6:00-7:30 pm | Workshop 1: Wednesday, April 29 Workshop 2: Wednesday, May 6 Workshop 3: Wednesday, May 13 | https://actionnetwork.org/events/rise-above-ward-8-workshops/ |