2020 has been a challenging year, to say the least. CCLR and our partners at U.S. EPA and DTSC created this year’s California Land Recycling Conference to address head-on the relationship between redevelopment and the struggles we’re facing in public health, climate change, and racial injustice. “The scope and breadth of the redevelopment field can feel daunting, but it is important that as land reuse practitioners, we make every effort to understand its intricacies and interdisciplinary nature. That is key to better brownfields redevelopment,” CCLR Program Manager, Claire Weston, said during her welcoming remarks on day two of the conference. 
 

From affordable housing and renewable energy, to economic trends and policy updates, 22 conference sessions delved into the many dimensions of redevelopment. “CALRC was engaging, thought provoking, resonant with the times, and an inspiring call to action,” wrote one attendee. The three days of programming were an opportunity to learn the most relevant information and to develop partnerships across sectors which are so crucial for successful redevelopment. The conference brought together over 250 planners, developers, attorneys, environmental regulators, community members, and leaders at all levels of federal, state, and local government. 
 

Attendees also participated in many activities outside of the sessions. The thirteen exhibitors spoke with attendees during the breaks. DTSC and EPA hosted Office Hours to answer additional questions about their sessions on vapor intrusion and Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup Grants. EPA staff also hosted Brownfields Jeopardy during the lunch break and the conference wrapped up with the traditional Brownfields Sing-Along. 
 

Thank you to everyone who attended the conference. We hope it was fun and informative. You can still access all the recorded sessions, messages you sent, and other conference materials until March 24, 2021. If you missed CALRC - we’ve got you covered! Click here to access all the recorded sessions. To view the conference agenda with speaker information, click here. 

See you at CALRC next year!

A big thank you to the CALRC corporate sponsors who are so supportive of CCLR’s work to transform communities through land recycling.