News

New Guide Available!
Walkable Watersheds: A Guide to Community-based Watershed Planning

In 2011, Skeo created the Walkable Watershed Initiative, a planning approach that integrates community benefits with watershed planning to improve the overall health of a community and the surrounding watershed. The concept is based on the idea that high-quality water is necessary for a high quality of life, supporting access to the outdoors, enhanced community infrastructure and services, and healthier places.

Skeo has led Walkable Watershed projects benefiting communities with environmental justice concerns in more than seven locations across the country. In partnership with the James River Association, Skeo summarized lessons learned in this new guide that includes tips for more effectively engaging underserved communities in watershed planning that results in community benefits.

The Walkable Watershed Guide is available to download here!

In the news…

Final Walkable Watershed Plans are Available for Three James River Watershed Communities 
January 2017
James River Association, Center for Watershed Protection and Skeo Solutions launched Walkable Watershed projects in Charlottesville, Lynchburg and Petersburg, VA. Working closely with local government staff and residents, final Walkable Watershed Concept Plans are available. Please visit their project pages to learn more and download a copy of the report.

Pollocks Branch Greenway and Community Event
June 2016
The Walkable Watershed team hosts a community event with local partners and residents to celebrate the opening of the Pollocks Branch Greenway and learn about other watershed restoration strategies. Click here and here to see the local news coverage.

Friends of Sausal Creek, Oakland, CA, selected as pilot community for west coast Walkable Watershed Concept Plan
February 2016
Skeo Solutions announces that the the Friends of Sausal Creek, Oakland, California has been selected as the west coast pilot community for the Walkable Watershed Concept Plan. The project is being run and funded by Skeo Solutions, a national leader in providing community-based planning to hundreds of local governments across the country. Learn more on the project page and a recent news story by the Contra Costa Times.

Pollocks Branch Walkable Watershed in the News
June 2015
Local news outlets highlight efforts underway in Charlottesville, Virginia as part of the Pollocks Branch Walkable Watershed project. Click here to view NBC 29’s story on the Pollocks Branch Trail and click here to read Charlottesville Tomorrow’s article about the effort and public meeting held on June 8. 

Final Raleigh Walkable Watershed Concept Plan Available
February 2015
After working with community members, non-profit organizations, students and local government representatives in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Walkable Watershed Concept Plan for the lower Little Rock Creek watershed is now available.  Developed, funded and facilitated by Skeo Solutions, the City of Raleigh was selected for the project through a competitive process. Click here to download the press release. To learn more about the project and download a copy of the report, please visit the project page

Walkable Watershed at Chesapeake Watershed Forum 
September 2014
James River Association and Skeo Solutions partnered to provide an interactive session as part of the Chesapeake Watershed Forum in Shepherdstown, WV. The session provided participants an opportunity to learn how urban communities are integrating goals for healthy water and neighborhoods into a Walkable Watershed to create lasting value. Participants explored how to work with community partners to build a shared vision and set of strategies to improve watersheds, stewardship and community health.

Raleigh Walkable Watershed Concept Plan and Action Plan Available for Public Comment
September 2014
The Concept Plan, the outcome of technical assistant services provided by Skeo Solutions, lists 12 specific recommendations for the lower Little Rock Creek Watershed based on community- and City staff-identified needs. The Action List prioritizes the recommendations and includes next steps to help build partnerships and guide investments in these neighborhood-based watershed improvements. 

VA APA Publication highlights Skeo’s Walkable Watershed Work
November 2013
Skeo’s Walkable Watershed project was featured in the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association publication, “The Greater Commonwealth: Stories About Planning and Places in Virginia 2011-2013.” Click here to download the publication.

Skeo’s Walkable Watershed Highlighted in Municipal Maryland
September 2013
An article titled “Improving Livability through Community Watershed Planning” appears in the September/October 2013 issue of Municipal Maryland – the official publication of the Maryland Municipal League. Written by Danielle Miller Wagner, a local government consultant, the article highlights Skeo’s watershed planning work in Richmond, Virginia. The article provides an overview of the Bellemeade Walkable Watershed project and how this approach can serve as a model for other Chesapeake Bay communities.

Skeo Selects City of Raleigh for Walkable Watershed Concept Plan
August 2013
Skeo Solutions announces that the City of Raleigh, North Carolina has been selected as the pilot community for the Walkable Watershed Concept Plan. The project is being run and funded by Skeo Solutions, a national leader in providing community-based planning to hundreds of local governments across the country. Download the press release here.

Skeo Adds a Brick-and-Mortar Dimension to the Sharing Economy (Triple Pundit)
January 2013
Skeos project is also called the Bellemeade Walkable Watershed, which dovetails with the City of Richmond’s stormwater master plan.