This agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to EL departamento DE LA comida (EL depa)

Specifically, this project has three initiatives: community education and workforce development, a climate resilience hub, and intergenerational waterway restoration. EL departamento DE LA comida and partners will implement nature-based solutions of riparian restoration to address vulnerabilities and enhance watershed resilience; install energy-efficient upgrades to critical infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance resilience; introduce educational programs to build adaptive capacity and community engagement within their community; administer community composting to reduce food waste and support local biodiversity; and train staff and community members in watershed stewardship to ensure sustainable management of water resources and pollution reduction. Activities:the activities include implementing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, upgrading buildings to make them energy efficient, establishing a community resilience hub, reducing organic waste, establishing workforce development programs, community education and trainings, and reducing pollution and increasing the resiliency of waterways. Subrecipient:subawardees will: transition small and medium farms from industrial to regenerative agriculture practices; promote agriculture, environmental conservation, the responsible use of natural spaces, and autonomy, in service of empowering the community to participate in cooperative and communal sustainability; transform the mercedes palma school into a multifaceted hub that serves as a beacon of resilience and development for the region; provide education and training to the community on solar panels and energy storage solutions; hold stewardship over the disused mercedes palma school building and facilitate the restoration of the building by EL depa, transforming IT into a resiliencia hub; lead environmental and arts-based popular education campaigns, supporting the residents of caguas in advancing climate justice organizing efforts. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include: a vulnerability map of the community; increased native species along watershed waterways; planting 200 shade trees annually; installation of rainwater collection systems; installation of interpretation stops along trails; renovating and restoring the mercedes palma secondary school as resilient community building; upgrading project sites with solar and battery systems; solar refrigeration at select project sites; an agricultural education center, native tree nursery, and organic composting site; educational classes and activities for youth; delivering disaster preparedness, stormwater management, flood preparedness, organic farming, and climate adaption trainings; converting produce that would normally go to waste; transition small and medium farms from industrial to regenerative agricultural practices and train farmers to transition to organic and agroecological farming; developing an agroecological workforce trained in GHG reduction and water protection strategies; workforce training program; and trainings on planting native plants, collecting data, and monitoring water along the watershed; creation of educational materials that translate highly technical protocols into accessible language and formats. The expected outcomes include: mitigating risks of landslides; decreased erosion; reforestation; increased resilience to extreme weather and climate events; more equitable access to community resources; increased community connectivity and safety; increased consumption of traditional, locally produced foods; decreased reliance on resource-intensive, non-native crops; increased engagement of communities in stewarding lands and waters; increased community awareness of emergency preparedness; community-convening spaces to provide educational activities and R