The Great Lakes Adaptation Assessment for Cities (GLAA-C) is a three-year project that seeks to strengthen the science and decision-making for more effective urban adaptation to climate change in the Great Lakes region. The project, which is funded by the University of Michigan and Kresge Foundation and led by the University's Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute, teams researchers with city decision makers in five Great Lakes cities in order to identify adaptation needs, opportunities for action, and relative costs of response options to climate change. The programs developed for the five cities will include implementation steps which will be able to be universalized and replicated in other cities in the region. This conference call is an opportunity for Michigan communities to learn about GLAA-C and how it can be applied locally and regionally.

Join the conference call at 10am eastern Wednesday, January 16, by calling 734-794-6099 and using code 43720. Once the call begins you can view presentation slides here.

Luke Forrest is a Project Coordinator with the Center for 21st Century Communities. Contact him by email or Twitter.

Registration is now open for a one-day conference which will explore issues surrounding older adults and what communities can do to prepare for this growing population.

The conference, a collaboration with AARP-Michigan, the Leagueand other organizations will be held on Feburary 28th from 9 am to 4 pm at Palmer Commons, located on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus.

Speakers already confirmed for the event include Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President who will discuss the partnership between AARP and the World Health Organization in promoting the Age Friendly Communities program in Michigan. Other speakers will include renowned walkability expert Dan Burden and Laurie Volk, who will discuss market research related to why it is in a community's best interest to retain and attract boomers and older adults.

Also, Rodney Harrell, AARP Senior Strategic Policy Advisor will address how housing and transportation can support active living at any age.  Other speakers are still being added.

The conference reflects the need, as noted through the League's Center for 21st Century Communities, to create communities for the next 50 years that are geared both toward young adults and and an ever growing population of empty nest boomers who both want the same things in the places they live. 

Registration is now available. For further information contact Karen Kafantaris at AARP, kkafantaris@aarp.org

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Muncipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.