Mapping resident priorities for greener, healthier communities

Impact

People who know their neighborhoods best should have a say in how they are improved. We’re helping South and West Los Angeles residents put their priorities on the map—from cooler streets and better parks to cleaner waterways and more green space—so the Baldwin Hills and Urban Watersheds Conservancy can target new funding toward projects that make everyday life healthier, safer, and more resilient.

Challenge

The Baldwin Hills and Urban Watersheds Conservancy’s territory recently grew from 2,000 to 44,000 acres, dramatically expanding the population of people impacted by decisions about parks, waterways, green space, and climate resilience. Residents understand what their own neighborhoods need, but they often lack a clear way to share their ideas, influence public investments, or connect promising projects with funding.

Approach

We’re helping the Conservancy create a more community-driven approach to public investment. Working with Rising Communities and Esri, we’re building an interactive mapping tool that brings resident knowledge and environmental data together so communities can identify local needs, propose solutions, and shape where funding goes. We’re also evaluating the model to demonstrate its value and help other conservancies and public agencies adopt and improve it—giving historically underserved communities greater say in how public dollars are invested.