Sustainability Now! | Eileen Shader | American Rivers | Floodplain Restoration | 10-7-24

On this week’s program, your host, Justin Mog, comes in out of the rain for a discussion about sustainable floodplain management and recovery in the wake of disasters like Hurricane Helene. Joining us this week is Eileen Shader, Senior Director of Floodplain Restoration at American Rivers (https://www.americanrivers.org/), who shares the results of a new analysis of the nation’s floodplains by American Rivers and Conservation Science Partners which found that 90% of floodplains across the lower 48 have been adversely impacted by human actions. Listen in as we explore how the flood damage in western NC demonstrates how rivers are dynamic systems that need space to move across the floodplain. Learn how the National Flood Insurance Program influences where and how communities build next to rivers; and how NFIP flood hazard maps work, and how they can be improved. We discuss ways that communities, states, and the federal government can help affected communities rebuild better after floods; and the need for dam removal projects across the country. For a list of organizations accepting donations to assist flood victims in Appalachia go to: https://www.lpm.org/news/2024-09-30/how-to-help-hurricane-helene-survivors-in-appalachia ...And in western North Carolina: https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2024-09-28/list-ways-to-donate-and-help-flood-victims-in-western-north-carolina-after-hurricane-helene Other opportunities to support recent flood victims include: https://www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/ https://easttennesseefoundation.org/grants/neighbor-to-neighbor-disaster-relief-fund/ https://www.nccommunityfoundation.org/nonprofits/disaster-relief-fund/hurricane-helene-response https://www.unitedwayabc.org/news/hurricane-helene-relief-efforts https://donate.mannafoodbank.org/ https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/belovedasheville https://www.redcross.org/donate/dr/hurricane-helene.html/ Additional resources: Natural Defenses: Safeguarding Communities From Floods: https://www.americanrivers.org/conservation-resource/natural-defenses-safeguarding-communities-floods/ Weathering Change: Policy Reforms that Save Money and Make Communities Safer https://www.americanrivers.org/conservation-resource/weathering-change/ As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at http://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at http://appalatin.com