CCLR’s Favorite Things

Ignacio Dayrit, Principal Brownfield Consultant

Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Application Resources

Considering an FY26 EPA grant? Start here!

The Bold Rush: Just Transition Reuse of Former Oil Fields

Environmental toxins…Not a surprise you want to find under the holiday tree…

Lujain Altawarah, Senior Program Associate

CALRC 2024 Women Visionaries

Picking a favorite CALRC session is like trying to choose the most memorable moment of a great trip, but the Women Visionaries session was so inspiring and engaging that I keep coming back to their presentation.

Lauren Ghazikhanian, Communications Manager

Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law

This book by Leah and Richard Rothstein is a follow up to “The Color of Law.” Just Action details local, grassroots actions we can all take to address inequality in our own communities and bring neighbors together. If you have a New Years Resolution to be the change you want to see in the world, this book is a great guide.

Claire Weston, Senior Program Manager

EPA Grants Management Training for Applicants and Recipients

Maybe not the flashiest contribution… but it really is one of my favorite things (slightly worried about what that says about me…) The EPA Grants Management Training is comprehensive, well thought out and designed, and now a requirement.

Nicole Lang, Program Manager

Making Old Parks New Again Reversing Historic Disinvestment from Advocacy to Funding

I love inclusive public spaces, like parks and libraries, and believe they’re vital to healthy communities. When I attended this session at CALRC, I found the health and redevelopment data fascinating. Especially since, on a trip home to Fresno the week prior, I had coincidentally visited one of the mentioned pocket parks!

Elizabeth Richardson, Environmental Scientist

Reclaiming the Past, Building the Future: Brownfield Basics Webinar

A go-to for anyone seeking a comprehensive overview to demystify land reuse, this webinar is a perfect introduction to the brownfield process and is perfect for beginners!

Copper Corridor Blight Busters Brownfields Program

This website is packed with inspiration for Brownfield Teams in Arizona! Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned pro, you’ll find case studies, state specific resources and information about potential partnerships with the Copper Corridor Blight Busters.

Joelle S. Greenland, AICP, Senior Planning Consultant

EPA’s Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements

This guide packs a punch (only 27 pages) in getting an overall understanding of procurement utilizing EPA federal funding. I always have this within easy reach as procuring for services, goods and equipment can often be complex, but this guide gives enough information to answer most questions, or provides the code of federal regulations (CFR) where one can do a deeper dive.

EPA Brownfields Grants: Guidance on Competitively Procuring a Contractor

A companion piece to the Best Practice Guide; it specifically addresses the competitive process specifically for procurement over the Simplified Threshold of $250,000. It has a very effective and compliant criteria ranking, which is often done incorrectly by grantees.

Anna Maria Camardo, Communications Coordinator

Functional Fungi: How Mycelium Can Help Remove Soil Contamination

Normally I’d be enjoying my mushrooms fried in butter or minced inside a dumpling, but now I get to nerd-out about the less famous side of fungi. Miles of mycelium lurk beneath the surface and their power is not to be underestimated. Keep reading on the blog!

Devyn Rainwater, Program Manager

BRADS Road to Inclusionary Redevelopment Series: Part 1

“Gentrification” and “displacement” are words that may appear in conversation over your holiday meal, especially if you live in a rapidly developing urban area. This new guide from the excellent BRADS program (Brownfields Revitalization Anti-Displacement Strategies) provides analysis of the factors that shape displacement and what to do about it. With this guide, you may come to better understand your community, and why the family next door had to move out after that old dry cleaners building became a coffee shop selling $8 lattes.

Sebastian Harrison, Environmental Engineering Consultant

CCLR Vision to Action workshops: Plummer, ID

It is inspiring to watch the community of Plummer Idaho come together to plan what’s next for a former brownfield, and help heal the past through CCLR’s Vision to Action workshops. These workshops have shown to be a great model for facilitated collaboration.

Sheryl Gonzales, Senior Brownfield Consultant

Rural Reuse Resources and CCLR’s Video about Superior, AZ

Real-life success stories, like the Superior, AZ example, and insights from agency representatives provide powerful inspiration. Seeing how other agencies have achieved success with EPA Brownfield grants and programs motivates others to pursue similar revitalization efforts.

Jean Hamerman, Executive Director

The CCLR team, Board and Advisory Council!

It goes without saying that none of the work we do would be possible without our incredible team. I am endlessly proud of the CCLR ecosystem and grateful to collaborate with diverse, talented and motivated experts working hard to support clean, healthy communities for everyone.