ECN will be highlighting the LEAP Sustainability Fellowship program that builds resident capacity to steward open space in their neighborhoods. We work with resident leaders who have been taking care of and cultivating open spaces in their communities for a long time. ECN staff will provide context regarding land issues in Detroit as well as the fellowship and residents will join us to talk about the projects they are leading in their communities. We will also discuss how our work elevating resident voices and building leadership capacity in our communities fits within our broader organizational goals of increasing climate resilience and advocating for equitable climate solutions.

We’ve Been Here: Resident Leadership and Stewardship on Detroit’s Eastside
Webcast Video
Guests

Ricky Ackerman
Eastside Community Network
Director of Climate Equity
Ricky has been working at Eastside Community Network since February 2018 and currently serves as the Director of Climate Equity. While at ECN, Ricky has worked to engage residents around green stormwater infrastructure, air quality issues, resilience hubs, and other climate change-related topics. Prior to starting at ECN, he received his masters in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment.