Building Community Climate Resilience in Partnership with Hennepin County FORTIFY

Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (PPGJLI) recently completed a climate adaptation and energy resilience project in partnership with Hennepin County through FORTIFY, a county initiative that supports contracted community projects designed to help residents, businesses, and the environment withstand, respond to, and recover from climate change impacts. This work focused on community engagement and education around energy burden, climate preparedness, and locally driven adaptation strategies, reaching a total of 153 community members through a combination of workshops, in-person events, digital outreach, and published media.

Through this project, PPGJLI shared practical, family-focused strategies that communities can apply now to adapt to climate impacts. For example, planting trees and using natural ventilation to cool homes helps reduce indoor temperatures during extreme heat, while replacing older bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting can lower energy use and costs. In response to heavier rainfall and flooding, community members learned about clearing gutters and planting rain gardens to manage water flow. For long-term energy resilience, participants explored using energy-efficient appliances, smart thermostats, and local energy assistance programs to reduce burden and increase household adaptation capacity. These strategies were shared through workshops, social media education, and local newspaper articles, helping strengthen awareness and inspire action throughout the community.