Projects
Our project portfolio reflects the values and passions that drive our work. We are energized by helping organizations find strategic direction, listening to community voices, and advancing sustainability and resiliency in meaningful, practical ways. Enjoy our projects below!
It’s My City
It’s My City is an ongoing, multi-year initiative intended “to leverage civic pride and engage residents in the health of Indianapolis.” The initiative addresses complex issues in the realms of urban forestry, stormwater pollution prevention and education, and community engagement. Working alongside partners such as Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District, as well as city officials, Empower Results is engaged in a wide range of public education and community outreach. Work includes the development of strategy and messaging about stormwater-related issues, public event activity design and facilitation, training, and marketing and communications.
PROJECT TASKS
- Developed new outreach and presentation materials
- Cultivated relationships with cultural institutions (Children’s Museum, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis Public Libraries, Indiana State Museum, and Indianapolis Zoo) to partner in events and communications
- Partnered with Parks and Recreation Department, Mayor’s Neighborhood Liaisons, and city communications team on events, social media, and website content
- Coordinated activity with additional contracted service providers
CLIENT
City of IndianapolisSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Group Facilitation, Public InvolvementWhite River Alliance Coordination
The White River Alliance is a consortium of local governments, environmental professionals, industry leaders, agriculture, higher education, and others working to improve and protect water quality on a regional watershed basis. The Alliance works across 16 counties in central Indiana. Ongoing Alliance projects, under the leadership of Empower Results, include: development of an award-winning regional stormwater educational program, technical programming for professionals, HOAs, and others, grant implementation, convening the statewide Indiana Water Summit, completion of the White River Report Card and Watershed Health Toolkit, and more. The Alliance and Empower Results serve to improve communication and coordination across county and municipal lines and provide high-quality, impactful education, outreach, and training across varied audiences.
PROJECT TASKS
- Statewide Indiana Water Summit, Science and Policy Forums, and regional planning facilitation
- Clear Choices Clean Water education program
- RAFT citizen water monitoring program
- Regional MS4 Stormwater Program
- Stormwater Landscape Maintenance Training
- Trained Individual Contractor Certification Program
- White River Report Card and Watershed Health Toolkit
- The Collective Tap Podcast
- White River Cleanup, Art Canoes, and more
CLIENT
White River AllianceSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Group Facilitation, Public Involvement, Workshops & Trainings, Grant Writing & AdministrationTerre Haute Riverfront Masterplan
This project emerged as a partnership between the City of Terre Haute, RiverScape, Thrive West Central, and Vigo County. Working closely with Stantec and the Army Corps of Engineers, Empower Results led the development of the project engagement plan, assisted in the development and distribution planning of a series of targeted surveys, and coordinated multiple open house-type public meetings. Empower Results facilitated a two-day in-person leadership meeting with 50+ attendees that included the development of the project’s goals and objectives. Empower Results also conducted a series of online stakeholder meetings, which convened groups with similar areas of interest.
PROJECT TASKS- Assisted in the management of the Project Advisory Committee
- Developed project engagement plan
- Assisted in the development of surveys and advised on distribution paths and methods
- Facilitated leadership meetings
- Convened online targeted stakeholder meetings
CLIENT
Wabash Riverfront Planning PartnershipSERVICES
Public Involvement, Group Facilitation, Environmental Education and Outreach
Prairie Creek Reservoir Stakeholder Facilitation
From October 2025 to January 2026, Empower Results led a facilitated dialogue between the City of Muncie and Indiana American Water (IAW) regarding the management and future direction of Prairie Creek Reservoir.
The facilitation process was designed to clarify roles, identify operational risks, explore management options, and determine collaborative strategies to protect water quality while sustaining recreational value and economic benefits.
Across three meetings, discussion clarified priorities around the need to balance source water protection, public recreation, infrastructure investment, and financial sustainability while improving coordination between the owner (IAW) and operator (City).
PROJECT TASKS- Coordinated and facilitated high-level meetings with IAW and City of Muncie leadership
- Assisted in identification of key assets, risks, and opportunities relative to each entity
- Clarified options for future governance
- Produced recommendations for near- and short-term action items, including operating parameters, investment priorities, water quality protection needs, and the role of public communication
CLIENT
Indiana American WaterSERVICES
Group Facilitation, Environmental Education & OutreachWater Monitoring Optimization Report
As contracted staff for the White River Alliance, Empower Results completed the report, Indiana’s Water Monitoring Network: A Strategic Path Forward in 2025. The report commissioned by the Indiana Finance Authority inventories the network’s strengths and weaknesses and lays out a strategic path toward a network capable of supporting the state’s data needs. New economic development opportunities make it more important than ever to understand our water resources and plan for their sustainable future. This planning requires critical data from Indiana’s water monitoring network, which currently exists as an ad hoc collection of surface water gages, groundwater wells, and climate stations.
PROJECT TASKS
- Convened experts across state and federal agencies, university researchers, and private consultants to collect data, inventory the network, and determine a broad array of needs
- Conducted multi-factor gap analysis
- Developed implementation cost estimates
- Highlighted current data limitations and alignment opportunities, and identified key vulnerabilities in the state’s monitoring capacity
- Developed six key recommendations for modernizing the network
CLIENT
Indiana Finance AuthoritySERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Group FacilitationFort Wayne Park System Comprehensive Plan
Empower Results assisted Design Workshop with a broad and insight-focused outreach and engagement approach. A deep matrix of partner organizations, stakeholder groups, community leaders, and contacts within the City government was built and utilized to leverage dozens of channels to reach the general public for input. This matrix laid the foundation for survey development and promotion, focus group-style stakeholder meetings, and a series of public meetings to kick the project off and solicit feedback during the planning process. Empower Results staff served as unbiased facilitators for the focus group meetings, allowing participants to share candid input and open discussions. This input, along with input from community open houses, was relayed to design team members and City staff to ensure the Master Plan reflected community needs, values, and future hopes.
The Empower Results team also assisted with surveys and multi-lingual outreach materials, coordinated all stakeholder communications, developed press releases, and provided leadership for the overall engagement strategy and messaging.
PROJECT TASKS
- Identified internal and external Parks partners, stakeholders, and public audiences
- Reviewed past plans for outreach and engagement trends and gaps
- Developed and deployed multiple community surveys
- Coordinated and facilitated series of stakeholder meetings
- Developed outreach and promotional materials (with multi-lingual outreach)
- Assisted team with plan recommendations based on engagement feedback
CLIENT
City of Fort WayneSERVICES
Public Involvement, Group FacilitationBike Walk Greater Lafayette Safety Plan
The City of Lafayette and Tippecanoe County engaged a team including Health By Design, BF&S Engineering, and Empower Results to complete a bicycle and pedestrian plan with the goal of improving alternative transportation infrastructure. Empower Results led a robust public outreach and engagement program designed to inform government leadership, consult key stakeholders, and align partners in the bike/ped space. Our work included facilitation of leadership and stakeholder meetings, a complete branding process, public event planning and coordination, communications, and messaging strategy. Our team stayed involved with the project over a three-year period.
PROJECT TASKS
- Developed communications plan, messaging strategy, outreach materials, and surveys including incentive program
- Developed branding including a logo, campaign tagline, keywords to organize messaging, core messages to establish brand and purpose, and a brand guide was provided
- Developed website structure and social media, newsletter content
- Organized public engagement events and developed activities for participants
- Developed incentive program for bike/ped adoption and coordinated community partners
- Meeting facilitation with government leadership and project stakeholders
CLIENT
City of Lafayette and Tippecanoe CountySERVICES
Public Involvement, Group FacilitationIndianapolis Waste Minimization Study
Empower Results worked with APTIM and the City fo Indianapolis to produce an outreach and education plan for the City’s Waste Minimization Study. The study proposed a set of recommendations for delivering a universal curbside recycling program. Empower Result’s outreach and education plan explicates methods to promote the program and successful recycling behavior. The plan includes best practices, a discussion of barriers and motivations for behavior change, a breakdown of peer city programs, strategies to enhance the current drop-off and subscription programs, strategies for baseline and enhanced O&E relative to a new universal curbside program, a rollout schedule, and cost tables for each of the recommended practices.
PROJECT TASKS
- Managed focus group and stakeholder input sessions
- Researched and analyzed public outreach and education programs in peer and model cities, existing City strategies, and industry best practices
- Developed and produced overall education plan
CLIENT
City of IndianapolisSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Public InvolvementIFA Central Indiana Water Study
The Indiana Finance Authority initiated the Central Indiana Water Study to provide a better understanding of the supply and demand of water resource sin the Central Indiana region. The effort will ultimately provide a data-driven foundation for collaborative decision making on shared water needs, challenges, and opportunities. Empower Results served as the outreach and education arm of a diverse team of scientists and agency representatives, producing a range of products to help explain the study to the public and decision makers who will most benefit from understanding the study’s results and recommendations.
PROJECT TASKS
- Developed project purpose statement and fact sheets
- Developed project FAQ set to accompany reports on the website
- In process of developing three video assets to present the project to different audiences, including the public and elected officials
CLIENT
Indiana Finance AuthoritySERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Public InvolvementLand Stewardship
Empower Results led the Office of Land Stewardship in creating a strategic plan that will guide the Office’s activity over the next 5 years. The internal planning document prioritized essential functions and provided action steps based on a clear timeline. Additional work was also done to develop a public outreach Master Plan designed to broaden awareness of the Office’s impact on environmental services in the city. This public-facing ‘Master Plan’ includes a summary of the Office’s role and ongoing activities, an inventory of property assets and amenities, restoration and maintenance success stories, the expansion of volunteer programs, and a suite of infographics which detail the ecological services and social benefits that result from well-maintained natural areas. Empower Results has gone on to help produce a series of videos on OLS’s work, interpretive signage, and assist in a range of outreach efforts.
PROJECT TASKS
- Led strategic planning process to determine prioritized action steps, and create work plan
- Led branding and communication processes
- Developed series of infographics and other materials to communicate the value of Land Stewardship activity
- Created a series of videos showing value of land protection and ecological services
- Designed and produced interpretive signage
- Created branded presentation materials
- Assisted in social media and other outreach efforts
CLIENT
Indianapolis Office of Land StewardshipSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Environmental Planning, Group FacilitationIDEM Wetlands Education
Empower Results served as an outreach and education subconsultant for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, helping IDEM modernize its wetland-related resources and develop a new suite of materials to further its outreach efforts. Working with graphic designers, Empower Results revised existing content and created a new visual language for brochures and fact sheets. The effort also included social media guidance and a set of post-ready messages and photos to help keep messaging tight and consistent. Finally, Empower Results produced wetland outreach “kits” – a set of materials including activities and materials for teachers.
PROJECT TASKS
- Assisted with brand redesign to accompany brochures and fact sheets
- Assisted in text revisions and redesign of four brochures and eleven fact sheets
- Developed “media blitz” package of images and messages optimized for social media
- Developed and assembled education “kits” for IDEM educators
CLIENT
Indiana Department of Environmental ManagementSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Group FacilitationWabash River Greenway Master Plan
The Wabash River Greenway Master Plan proposes a 90-mile trail across five counties in the Wabash River valley in Indiana. Designed as a “destination trail”, the Wabash River Greenway aims to be a landmark project for the region, creating connections between communities, supporting quality of life improvements, providing access to the river, and more.
Empower Results assisted the project team across a variety of services. Our role in the project included brand guide and survey development, stakeholder identification and meeting organization, (COVID-friendly) public input activity design, online polling and interaction tools, public meeting facilitation, and video storyboarding.
PROJECT TASKS
- Provided a full range of public input consultation
- Assisted in survey design and implementation
- Developed COVID-friendly public input strategies across the five-county project area
- Helped organize and facilitate online meetings with elected officials and stakeholder groups
- Assisted in the development of a project brand guide
- Created storyboard outline for project marketing video
CLIENT
Wabash River Enhancement CorporationSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Group Facilitation, Public InvolvementCastleton Revitalization Master Plan
Empower Results led the public outreach and stakeholder involvement process for the Castleton Revitalization Master Plan. Leadership tasks included organizing, developing activities for, and participating in a series of stakeholder meetings in order to establish a baseline set of project outcomes ranging from the project vision to final features. The Empower Results team organized and assisted in three public workshops attended by more than 200 individuals, each utilizing multiple input strategies. Several external focus group meetings were held to acquire input from specific demographics, commercial organizations, adjacent planning entities, major employers, and local developers.
PROJECT TASKS
- Project website
- E-newsletter
- Series of online surveys directed toward specific user types (area visitors, employers, employees, residents)
- Input was aggregated and shared with other team members and the City to develop a realistic yet visionary plan, and local leadership was cultivated to begin implementation
CLIENT
City of IndianapolisSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Group Facilitation, Public InvolvementPacers Bikeshare
Our team assisted the Indianapolis Cultural Trail with outreach and publicity surrounding the new Pacers Bikeshare Program. We assisted with numerous public meetings, which included developing posters and surveys to determine ideal locations for Bikeshare stations. Once the Bikeshare Program launched, we identified and researched four target audiences to determine the best outreach venues for each. These included regular newsletters, e-blasts, monthly meeting dates, key seminars, and other important outreach opportunities where people lived and worked. We then assisted the client with surveying three different types of users – 24-hour pass holders, Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) residents, and annual pass holders. We compiled the survey responses into a final report to aid the Cultural Trail in future outreach and education about the Pacers Bikeshare Program and to cultivate more participation and membership.
PROJECT TASKS
- Identified key audiences like to participate in bikeshare as well as cultivated atypical audiences
- Researched and developed mechanisms to reach key audiences
- Developed comprehensive outreach matrix and venue calendar to guide client’s outreach efforts
- Developed and delivered in-person user surveys to evaluate the program
- Planned, coordinated, and staffed public engagement events
CLIENT
Indianapolis Cultural TrailSERVICES
Group Facilitation, Public InvolvementClear Choices Clean Water
Our team (through the support of two active watershed clients and several municipalities) created, launched, and currently maintains the state’s largest social marketing campaign for environmental awareness, Clear Choices Clean Water (CCCW). CCCW is a unique strategy to increase awareness and knowledge about residential behavior choices and their impact on water quality in local watersheds. The project helps to change people’s behavior, evaluate outreach success, and measure improvements at the same time. The focal point of the campaign is an interactive website and pledge map; however, a suite of supporting resources, marketing materials, and interactive activities were developed to help support the program as well. We create regular social media posts and engage dozens of outside partners in the continued support and promotion of the program. Google analytics and other built-in metrics allow us to evaluate the success of various outreach strategies, which allows for flexibility and quick adjustments. This project won the 2012 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, the North American Lake Management Society 2013 Technical Merit Award for Education and Outreach, the Indiana Water Environment Association’s Outstanding Website Award in 2014, and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s award for Outstanding Development and Implementation of Storm Water Programs or Projects.
PROJECT TASKS (Ongoing)
- Developed award winning social marketing campaign (largest in the state)
- Created and maintained ever-growing website that houses educational and technical resources developed to support the pledge campaigns
- Designed numerous pieces of collateral outreach materials and creative promotional and marketing items
- Measured and evaluated campaign pledge impacts and behavior change metrics; provided routine improvements and upgraded to the program
- Leveraged the program to build wide-spread partnerships and sponsorships
- Adapted the program for national implementation and resale; produced regular revenue stream and national sponsors
The team at ER has the broadest knowledge base of all things water I have encountered. Their enthusiasm and tireless approach to championing water resource protection makes this the team to engage.
The ER team is at the forefront of water resource protection strategies. Their wide array of experience with innovative practices adds value to every project they undertake.
The ER team is one of the easiest teams with which I have worked. They can take the most complex problem or condition and guide their customers to the best solutions.
Lance Lantz
Town of ZionsvilleCLIENT
White River AllianceSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Environmental PlanningIndianapolis Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative
With the goal of developing and promoting more sustainable solutions for stormwater infrastructure, the City of Indianapolis worked with a team of consultants, including Empower Results, to identify and overcome obstacles that were impacting the adoption of Low Impact Development (LID) projects and principals. We coordinated the activities of the City’s LID Steering Committee, including meeting agendas, materials, presentations, and follow-up. Subcommittee meetings were conducted with several City departments to identify needed ordinance changes and discuss incentive opportunities. We also conducted national research on LID and green infrastructure programs and provided recommendations and program direction to the City. Team members led discussions and facilitated efforts that connected other City initiatives to LID. Primary outcomes included the development of a comprehensive Rain Garden program, specific ordinance language revisions, a complete web resource center, and the roll-out of a master presentation tool that is able to be tailored to a variety of audiences.
PROJECT TASKS
- Focused and synthesized diverse input from the LID committee and several department heads
- Developed cross-department LID preparedness checklist
- Prioritized and recommended language changes to key ordinances
- Identified and implemented incentive programs where practicable among existing design review processes
- Developed detailed materials for a comprehensive rain garden program
- Created city-wide, multi-departmental permit process for green infrastructure projects
- Presented to governing boards, partner organizations, & the design community
- Identified and expanded public education opportunities
CLIENT
City of IndianapolisSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Group Facilitation, Workshops and TrainingWetlands Program Plan
The Indiana Wetland Program Plan (IWPP) is a statewide action plan designed to guide continued wetland conservation and restoration. The vision of the Plan is to advance the understanding of the services and benefits that wetlands provide to the State, to promote the restoration and creation of high quality wetlands throughout the state, and to conserve and protect Indiana’s remaining wetlands. We served as a primary author of the Plan and led the Plan’s stakeholder engagement and public involvement activities. Stakeholder input was then utilized by our team to develop a prioritized seven-year implementation work plan. The IWPP includes priorities, goals, and action items reflecting the opinions and needs of many wetland stakeholders located throughout the state. Input was sought from hundreds of stakeholders including public and private organizations and individual members of the public. We also facilitated the activities of the Plan’s multi-agency Steering Committee that included the Indiana Department of Environment (IDEM), the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. FWS), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA).
PROJECT TASKS
- Authored Statewide Wetland Program Plan
- Developed GIS mapping strategy to inventory critical wetland resources and restoration opportunities
- Deployed stakeholder surveys, analyzed findings, and followed-up with participants
- Conducted one-on-one meetings with key conservation partners to identify shared goals and future needs
- Developed comprehensive stakeholder communications matrix and recommended outreach materials to reach target audiences
- Inventoried wide-spread educational materials and identified missing elements needed to meet the Plan’s goals
- Facilitated multi-agency Steering Committee meetings and numerous public input sessions
CLIENT
Indiana Department of Environmental ManagementSERVICES
Environmental Planning, Group Facilitation, Public InvolvementUS 31 Improvement Project
The New US 31 Major Moves Project, one of the largest in INDOT history, elevated sections of US 31 to limited access freeway standards. The project area (Hamilton County) presented unique challenges, as it includes one of the most developed luxury commercial corridors in the state. Additionally, this section of the road passes through several communities with varying development initiatives, historic resources, formal community aesthetics, and beloved recreational amenities. Our staff worked to maximize constructive community involvement opportunities and facilitate discussions with key stakeholders. These discussions were relayed to project designers in order to bring public opinion to bear on the final product. We also served as lead authors and investigators in the original environmental evaluations and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation that initiated the project, as well as the concluding FEIS document that solidified the project several years later. We saw the US 31 Hamilton County project through all of these phases, serving as a trusted resource among the relatively large project team and the public.
PROJECT TASKS
- Developed public involvement plans and outreach strategies
- Coordinated large public participation events
- Facilitated committee and targeted stakeholders meetings
- Provided design recommendations for project integration into the community
- Authored DEIS/FEIS documents and fulfilled all NEPA requirements and coordination
- Conducted environmental evaluations & agency coordination across multiple years
Quite frankly, you have been a huge help on a number of issues such as leading the completion of the SDEIS / FEIS and the public involvement.
So, great staff – yes. Meaningful outcome – definitely.
Repeat business – would love to find that “next” project to work on together!
Steve Fleming
CHA CompaniesCLIENT
Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
SERVICES
Environmental Planning, Group Facilitation, Public Involvement
Indy Rezone
Indy Rezone was the largest overhaul of Indianapolis’ zoning ordinances and development standards since 1969 – an effort aimed at making a more livable, more sustainable city. Our team played a critical role in this initiative by leading the facilitation of dozens of controversial discussions across multiple stakeholder groups and managing the efforts and outcomes of the Steering Committee over a two and half year timeframe. We served a leadership role by engaging focus groups at round tables, technical task forces, and the multi-stakeholder, 30-person Steering Committee. Outreach efforts were aimed at insuring that any ordinance changes had been thoughtfully developed and publically vetted across many groups and neighborhood scenarios. We focused on increasing the public’s understand of topics such as transportation choices; equitable, affordable housing; economic competitiveness; green investment; natural resource protection; and neighborhood invigoration. This understand was then leveraged into meaningful contributions by developing and facilitating diverse public input mechanisms. Indy Rezone will shape Indy’s built environment into the kinds of places people want to work, live and play for the next several decades.
PROJECT TASKS
- Overhauled the City’s zoning code to promote livability and sustainability
- Created and implemented strategic communication plan
- Facilitated multi-stakeholder Steering Committee and neighborhood focus groups
- Consulted on technical ordinance content and incentive programs focused on water sustainability
- Planned and executed large-scale public meetings
- Developed public outreach materials and cultivated new and unique venues for input
- Engaged public officials and professional organizations through policy round-tables
- Synthesized public and professional feedback from agencies and organizations to provide critical content to City project staff
Working with Empower Results means actually getting results that are meaningful, creative, on time and within budget!Empower Results first understands you, your project, then delivers a tailored approach that works. Empower Results is all about getting the results that you need; they always find a way – even when it looks impossible. As the saying goes, “it’s easy to make a decision when you don’t have all the information.” Empower Results takes all the information and enables the decision to be found relatively pain-free.
Tammara Tracy
City of IndianapolisCLIENT
City of IndianapolisSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Environmental Planning, Group Facilitation, Public Involvement, Workshops and TrainingRiverfront Fort Wayne
Riverfront Fort Wayne is an initiative that envisions a revitalized downtown riverfront area that is a regional destination offering opportunities to experience nature, recreation, shopping, dining and entertainment in a whole new way. We led the community outreach efforts that resulted in the Riverfront Fort Wayne action plan – a plan that was developed through a process that included extensive community input. The resulting vision for the riverfront plan offers something for everyone, from natural wetlands that allows you to reconnect with nature, to an activity park that encourages people of any age to play, to a promenade that welcomes you to stroll and enjoy shopping and dining along the river. These areas of interest are strengthened by improved pedestrian, trail and vehicular connections from nearby neighborhoods and the downtown which will ensure an ease of accessibility to the riverfront for residents and visitors alike.
PROJECT TASKS
- Assisted multi-disciplinary team with concept plans for redevelopment of Fort Wayne’s Riverfront
- Developed stakeholder communication matrix and delivered associated key messages to target audiences
- Implemented diverse public input mechanisms, including programing and content for Envision Center public showroom
- Created unique public engagement events including boat tours and river walks
- Facilitated large-scale public meetings and open houses
- Analyzed public input and provided guidance to the design team
The success of the Riverfront Fort Wayne study is due in part to the true teamwork we experienced with Empower Results. Jill’s enthusiasm and dedication for our project and innovative communication techniques contributed to a quantity and quality of public input beyond our expectations!
Pam H.
Fort WayneCLIENT
City of Fort WayneSERVICES
Public Involvement, Environmental Education and Outreach, Environmental Planning, Group FacilitationEagle Creek Watershed Alliance
The Eagle Creek Watershed Alliance has existed for over twelve years working to protect and improve water quality in Eagle Creek, its tributaries, and the downstream, Eagle Creek drinking water Reservoir. The watershed hosts diverse land uses, spanning intense agriculture operations, suburban fringe communities, and densely urban parts of the City of Indianapolis and the Town of Zionsville. During the development and implementation of the Watershed Management Plan, our team worked to bring people from all of these areas under the Alliance’s influence through committee participation, project implementation on individual properties, and broad public education and awareness events. We oversaw cost-share projects that included design, permitting, and monitoring work, as well as conducted numerous workshops, field days, and watershed tours. Projects and educational efforts span both urban and agricultural residents, in addition to other target audiences. We were also responsible for all news media communications, land owner agreements, project success measures, and all aspects of federal grant reporting.
PROJECT TASKS
- Authored EPA/IDEM compliant Watershed Management Plan and Plan updates
- Conducted water quality and habitat assessments
- Created web-based map resources and pre-packaged educational resources
- Analyzed critical resources via GIS and field investigations
- Implemented landowner cost-share program and technical assistance
- Communicated with media and produced routine project communications such as newsletters and social media
- Engaged and coordinated multiple topical committees and the Steering Committee
- Coordinated with schools and parks departments on projects and educational initiatives
CLIENT
IUPUI Center for Earth and Environmental ScienceSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Environmental Planning, Public Involvement, Workshops and TrainingBig Walnut Creek Watershed Management Plan
The Big Walnut and Deer Creek watersheds encompass 270,000 acres in west-central Indiana. The primarily agricultural watershed is home to unique aquatic resources, regional agricultural initiatives, DePauw University, and several reservoirs. Our team led the assessment and planning efforts necessary to set water quality improvement goals and complete a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan that meets Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) 319 standards. The effort included stakeholder engagement from a variety of industries, state institutions, federal agencies, the Nature Conservancy, and the local Plan Commission. The final product identified several Best Management Practice (BMP) recommendations and has gone on to become the framework for conservation implementation in the area. The project continues to receive both state and local funding and has made such significant improvements in water quality that it is routinely pointed to as one of the region’s best examples of a watershed project success story.
PROJECT TASKS
- Authored EPA/IDEM compliant Watershed Management Plans
- Conducted water quality and habitat assessments
- Analyzed and mapped critical resources via GIS and field investigations
- Implemented landowner cost-share program and technical assistance
- Fostered and produced regular media communications and community event
- Develop creative public education and outreach programming for youth and adults
- Coordinated the Steering Committee and several topical subcommittees
Empower Results brought the expertise our fledgling watershed group needed to devise a workable watershed management plan. They were always very knowledgeable about the subject of water quality. Their contacts afforded our group expert water quality samples even after storm events which in turn allowed us to make informed decisions as to what priorities we wanted within our management plan. Their timely response to any question, issue or comment makes them a true partner and joy to work with.
Sue Crafton
Putnam County SWCD
Jill Hoffmann and Empower Results have outstanding skills in helping groups work together, keeping focused, and helping prioritize issues. All done with insight and panache! I have seen Jill work with the Indiana Water Monitoring Council and the Big Walnut Watershed group and always look forward to working with her and Empower Results.
Jeff Frey
Big WalnutCLIENT
Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Environmental Planning, Group Facilitation, Public InvolvementUpper Tippecanoe River Lakes Strategic Watershed Management Plan
Empower Results led all local steering committee meetings associated with the development of a strategic plan aimed at reducing non-point source pollution to the seven hydrologically connected lakes in the Upper Tippecanoe River chain. Committee members were guided through a series of meetings and activities focused on consensus building, resource consolidation, and the prioritization. These meetings were used to develop an action plan for future environmental and social projects in the watershed. As land-use and water quality issues were identified, subsequent strategies were developed through facilitated discussions with other stakeholders. Customized public outreach events and alternative meeting styles assisted in the translation of technical data and topics to the public throughout the project.
PROJECT TASKS
- Educational workshops
- Goals setting and meeting facilitation
- Stakeholder conflict resolution
- Long-range organizational planning
- Development of a GIS and public-friendly graphics
- Synthesis and communication of water quality findings
- Lake management recommendations
CLIENTS
Upper Tippecanoe River Lakes Association (UTRLA)SERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Group Facilitation, Environmental Planning, Public InvolvementTrained Individual: Contractor Training and Certification Program
The Trained Individual Program is an annual event specifically targeted to those in the construction industry who regularly engage in earth work activities. The focus of the training is to help those in attendance: 1) understand the basic legal requirements for Rule 5 regulated construction sites.; 2) learn who is responsible for keeping the construction site in compliance with Rule 5 and the penalties for failing to do so; and 3) learn specific details on proper installation and maintaining the most common storm water best management practices (BMPs) used on construction sites. Our team is responsible for all aspects of workshop development and delivery, and often presents technical content as part of panel discussions or as formal session speakers. The agenda is strategically structured to ensure that topics progress similarly daily operations in the field and build upon themselves. Interactive program sessions insure that participants have opportunities for two-way communication and interactive learning from featured experts. The program is recognized and attended by professionals statewide. The certification elements including testing and maintenance of a Certified Trained Individual database that municipalities can consult when selecting contractors or engaging in enforcement actions. We have developed and maintained all program materials, and we administer the testing and certification on behalf of dozens of municipal clients.
PROJECT TASKS (On-going)
- Developed strategic program agenda to address the needs of those installing and maintaining stormwater best management practices
- Collaborated and developed educational materials and certification course manual for regional training of contractors and land developers
- Coordinated and delivered training/certification workshops, including agency, vendor and speaker coordination as well as recruitment, registration and participant evaluation
- Oversaw program communications, database management, and future event planning
CLIENT
White River Alliance and Local MS4 DistrictsSERVICES
Environmental Education and Outreach, Group Facilitation, Workshops and Training
