Proving the model in Erie County
Phase 1 is our current, primary focus. It is intentionally concrete: a defined pilot that demonstrates how participation, stewardship, logistics, and infrastructure work fit together in practice.
What Phase 1 sets out to do
The pilot is designed to deliver tangible results while building the foundation's long-term operating capacity. Each element is measurable, and each one lays groundwork for the next phase of regional work.
Stand up the first participation cohort
Recruit, onboard, and supervise an initial group of paid participants, with intake, training, and clear progression toward employment.
Begin priority drainage & stewardship
Clear identified drainage corridors and begin stewardship work on priority parcels to reduce flooding risk and restore usable land.
Establish the logistics backbone
Put dependable transportation, equipment handling, and site coordination in place so work proceeds without interruption.
Build operational capacity
Acquire essential equipment and establish the processes and partnerships that let the foundation deliver work consistently and at scale.
Where the work concentrates
Workforce & participation
Stand up the first paid participation cohort with clear intake, training, and supervision.
Drainage & land work
Begin priority drainage clearing and stewardship on identified parcels and corridors.
Logistics backbone
Establish reliable transportation and equipment coordination for active sites.
Operational capacity
Build the equipment, processes, and partnerships needed to deliver work at scale.
A foundation for Phases 2 and 3
Success in Phase 1 makes expansion possible. Later phases will extend proven work to more communities and bring forward longer-horizon initiatives such as productive land and agrivoltaic projects. These are future directions — Phase 1 is what earns them.
Build something durable with us
Agencies, nonprofits, funders, and community members are all part of this work. Reach out to explore how we can partner.