(IN-PERSON AT WOODEND) In Victor’s Conservation Cafe on Understanding Flood Risk and Meaningful Engagement, he will discuss flooding in Washington, DC and the measures that have been taken to reduce the risk. With his experience in the District and teaching residents about the impact of flooding he will also share the meaningful outreach and engagement lessons learned and what we can do better to reach and protect the most vulnerable communities. 

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Speaker Bio:

Victor  Ukpolo  Jr.  is  a  Certified  Floodplain  Manager  for  the  District  of  Columbia’s  Department of Energy and Environment. He began in floodplain management 5 years ago at Baltimore City’s Department of Planning, where he also ran the City’s Community Rating System program.

Victor attended Morgan State University, an historically black college, as an undergrade in the  Biological  Sciences  Department.  It  was  during  these  years  his  social  consciousness  evolved on campus, but also off campus for the environment, as he canvassed for local environmental organizations. In later years, he earned a Master’s in Environmental Science at California State University, Los Angeles.

He has experienced working in several corners of the environmental profession, including advocacy and organizing. Over the years, Victor has also worked as a Risk Assessor and Recycling Specialist. He’s a former Chesapeake Bay Program Citizens Advisory Committee Member for the State of Maryland, where in 2014 he led the advocacy to adopt current diversity and environmental justice language into the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement.

Victor’s current and most rewarding role is being a father, husband, and steward in his own community.