Higher Ground Celebrates Members on Earth Day 2020

Anthropocene Alliance — April 23, 2020

We are so proud to see Helen Lekavich, leader of Higher Ground member, Floodlothian Midlothian, profiled this week in People magazine’s Earth Day edition. She, among others such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Robert Redford, Jaden Smith and Jane Fonda, gave advice on things people should know and do to help the planet.  

Earth Day is the perfect time to recognize all of our Higher Ground members -- our Earth Day champions -- and we want to celebrate them.

A Community Voice, Louisiana empowers low to moderate income families to fight for social and economic justice. They’re moving forward on their Blight to Bioswales project. Hear flood survivor activists, Beth Butler and Gwendolyn Adams, discuss life in the Lower Ninth Ward, post-Katrina.

Adopt a House on Long Island, NY helps rebuild local communities by bringing valuable information, solutions and financial assistance to Long Island residents affected by Super Storm Sandy and other emergency situations. 

Alaska Institute for Justice are working with Alaska Native communities who are being forced to relocate because of climate change. Hear Robin Bronen, Executive Director, discuss their work.

Biloxi NAACP, Biloxi, MS, who are planning nature-based solutions to flooding. Hear Gordon Jackson speak of the impacts of flooding on residents.

Chicago South Side NAACP works to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens.

Citizens' Committee for Flood Relief, in De Soto MO, formed after watching neighbors suffer repeated flooding. Through videos such as this they’ve gotten attention and support of various government agencies and legislators.

Claiborne Avenue Alliance in New Orleans, LA, is a coalition of volunteers, residents, businesses and organizations advocating together for improved environmental, social, and public health conditions within the Claiborne Avenue Corridor - an area that frequently floods.

Coalition for Wetlands and Forests of Staten Island, NY, comprised of residents, civic associations, condo associations and environmental groups, raises awareness of the proposed destruction of the Graniteville Swamp and how its loss will impact residents (see video.)

Community In-Power and Development Association Inc (CIDA) Check out “Harvey Flooding Two Years Later” as Hilton Kelley and Michelle Smith discuss the recovery in the hardest hit neighborhoods.

Concerned Citizens for Mill Creek MetroParks in Boardman, OH works to protect the conservation and preservation of Mill Creek MetroParks.

Eastside Community Network in Detroit, MI, where homes are increasingly vulnerable to flooding.

Education, Economics, Environmental, Climate and Health Organization (EEECHO) of Gulfport, MS is a coalition of organizations and activists empowering communities with a voice for self-reliance and the knowledge and skills to thrive. They’re protecting two historic communities from flooding.

Elmhurst Flooding, concerned citizens in Illinois whose streets and houses frequently fill with water anytime there is a storm, advocate for citywide cooperation to mitigate flooding. See the HuffPost article.

Fix the Sewage in Penn Hills. is a group of residents concerned about flooding and sewage in Penn Hills Township, Pittsburgh, PA.

Floodlothian Midlothian IL, outside Chicago, Listen to Helen’s Heroes.

Flood Naught of League City TX is fighting to prevent flooding in and around their communities, specifically irresponsible development on flood-prone land.

Flood Victims of Richwood in TX has convened 400 residents to take out a lawsuit connected to their post-Hurricane Harvey flooding. Listen to Kevin McKinney discuss their plight.

Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition in SC is dedicated to the continuation of Gullah/Geechee culture. Listen to Queen Quet speak on the importance of preserving a vanishing culture, a vanishing land.

Groundswell Charleston in SC started on the west side of the Charleston peninsula following Hurricane Irma and is dedicated to bringing about innovative action by civic and political forces to stop the ongoing destructive flooding in a largely unrepresented residential corner of the city.

Higher Ground Pensacola of FL, is focused on the flooding in one of Pensacola‘s most culturally rich historic neighborhoods. Check out “When Flood Survivors Met Over Thanksgiving.”

Horry County Rising in SC strives for a transparent county government that listens to residents and makes smart decisions that protect our communities and the environment and an active, informed citizenry engaged in local government and decisions.

Kingswood Fight Against Future Flooding in the Houston, TX area strives to keep the entire Lake Houston community informed of how to be active in ensuring that they never flood again.

Lafayette Parish Flood Forum. Check out “Diary of a Flood Victim, Lafayette, Louisiana.”

La Playa Reverdec in Ponce, Puerto Rico is a community movement for the improvement of the quality of life and the environment of the beach.

LEAD Agency (Local Environmental Action Demanded) in Miami, OK  works with flood victims of Grand River and its tributaries, especially the Neosho River, Spring River and Tar Creek. See “Miami, Oklahoma Residents Host Rally to Voice Flooding Concerns”

Lemmon Valley Flood Relief/Assistance in Nevada brings to light the need to address the many reasons they are increasingly flooding. Check out “Public Land Grab in Nevada Could Lead to More Flooding”

Let's Work to Save Historic Ellicott City works to protect human life and the historic character of Ellicott City, MD through flood mitigation plans, legislation, and political/community allies.

Lincoln Park Residents Tired of Basement Flooding & how to maneuver DPS in MI encourages flooded residents to contact city leaders, document damage, and join voices to effect change.

Little Growers, Inc of Melbourne, FL is a youth urban agriculture program in a neighborhood that floods and is also facing rapid gentrification.  Listen to member Camille Hadley share her dream for the community.

Lowcountry Flooded States of America in Charleston, SC focuses on protecting the Lowcountry from flooding and destructive building practices. Check out “Flood Survivors Prompt Fraud Investigation”

Marin City People's Plan in CA is a grassroots community-driven project that raises community member awareness around climate change driven issues and activates community members to be the ones who design and implement nature-based adaptation solutions to these issues. Hear June Farmer speaking about their work.

Oakwood Beach Buyouts – In Staten Island, NY after Hurricane Sandy, many communities were devastated, rendered uninhabitable. Buyouts, such as those in Oakwood Beach, brought closure for many. Check out “For Sandy Survivors This Program Made All the Difference”

Ocean City, NJ Flooding coordinates with residents and property owners to influence governmental actions to alleviate the problems of flooding, such as remediation, mitigation, and flood insurance.  Hear Suzanne Hornick discuss the importance of government involvement and spreading the word.

Pequannock Flood Advisory Committee.  Listen to Nick DeStefano explain how he helped secured millions of federal dollars for home elevation in his constantly flooded community.

RainReady Chatham in IL, on Chicago’s South Side, focuses on the impact of resident-led approaches to urban flooding. Check out “It’s Bad”

Randol Mill Road Flooding - Development in Ft. Worth, TX works to unite area residents and motorists who are impacted by flooding from new development run off and hazardous road conditions, to disseminate information, and to work with government entities and professionals towards corrective change.

Residents Against Flooding aka MCDDC formed in Houston, TX after elected officials refused to deal with flooding issues, specifically blaming neighborhood flooding solely on natural causes, ignoring infrastructure mistakes.  See “Three Floods in Seven Years”

Richmondtown & Clarke Avenue Civic Association is working with fellow Staten Island group Coalition for Wetlands and Forests to make Graniteville Wetlands, preserved as parkland. Hundreds of homes and a vast swath of approximately 30 acres, of both freshwater and tidal wetlands, are at stake.

Rosewood Strong works on behalf of flooded residents in the small SC community. Currently they are focused on having homes bought out with fair compensation.

Save James Island in SC opposes the massive development threatening the island's character, history, beauty, wildlife, and quality of life. 

Save our Soundside is a community outreach group that is dedicated to the preservation of quality of life in the South Santa Rosa County area of Florida. Read about their investigations of failed stormwater ponds.

Saving Island Green Wildlife & Beyond in SC is a community concerned for the wildlife and nature around us. Check out “Flood Impacted Residents Campaign to Save Island Green”

Stop the Flooding NOW!, a group of flooded residents in Virginia Beach, VA work to advocate for the good of their neighbors, educating on “all things flooding” and encouraging others to get involved in their community. Hear Virginia Wasserberg’s “Dream” for her community.

Ventura County Climate HUB in CA is currently promoting regenerative gardening for earth and community resilience. The grassroots, non-partisan local affiliate of 350.org. is growing the local climate movement to reverse the climate crisis, while increasing resilience, justice, and inclusion.

Whispering Pines Concerned Citizens in Navarre, FL concerned about the planned addition of 7 apartment buildings and a cottage home subdivision.

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