NRPA and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) are working to adapt the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) curriculum for professionals responsible for the land management, maintenance and operations of municipal parks nationwide. Initiated under the leadership of WEF and DC Water, the NGICP is a national-level certification program aimed at creating a pool of credentialed field workers who possess the foundational knowledge to properly build, inspect and maintain green infrastructure stormwater practices across the United States.

In May 2019, NRPA, in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, will host 2.5 days of NGICP training in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for park and affiliated professionals. This training will include a combination of online learning, classroom presentations, practice quizzes and field experiences, and will focus on green stormwater infrastructure construction, inspection and maintenance. It will also touch on building successful green stormwater infrastructure projects in parks that provide multiple benefits through community engagement and partnerships.

NRPA will award 25 applicants with scholarships to attend the training and take the certification exam. It will also cover all their meals and lodging for the training, and provide them with a $350 stipend for airfare and travel incidentals.

The application process for scholarships opens November 1 and closes December 17, 2018.

Learn more about the NGICP curriculum. Learn more about the NRPA scholarship eligibility and guidelines.