Build Practical Community and Regional Resilience Across Virginia
The 2026 Resiliency Academy focuses on how social, ecological, and community systems change over time—and how resilience is intentionally designed and put into practice. Through expert-led panels and facilitated conversations, participants hear directly from practitioners who are advancing resilience across communities, organizations, and regions in Virginia. Panelists share how they track change, respond to emerging risks, and adapt strategies in real time within complex, interconnected systems.
Each session builds on the last. As the series progresses, participants deepen their understanding while seeing key concepts applied across different contexts and scales. Together, the sessions examine how risks and vulnerabilities emerge, how hazards can be reduced, and how adaptive capacity is strengthened through coordinated action across social, ecological, and institutional systems.
Throughout the Academy, participants engage with systems-thinking tools and equity- and justice-centered approaches grounded in real-world experience. Along the way, they gain practical insight into decision-making, change management, and effective communication from those navigating these challenges firsthand. By the end of the series, participants leave with actionable lessons, tested approaches, and peer-informed perspectives to support inclusive, evidence-based resilience efforts that strengthen long-term community well-being and regional collaboration.
What You'll Learn in the 2026 Resiliency Academy Webinar Series
March | Understand How Change Shapes the Systems We Depend On
To begin the series, this session introduces how natural and human systems experience variability and change—and what drives those shifts. From there, participants explore how resilience takes shape across four interconnected pillars: ecosystem services, the built environment, economic activities, and community empowerment. Real-world examples illustrate how change unfolds across systems and sets the stage for the sessions that follow.
April | Identify and Reduce Hazard Pathways Across Connected Systems
Building on this foundation, participants examine how variability and change can create or intensify hazards. Next, the session traces how shifting conditions translate into emerging risks. In doing so, it highlights both direct and indirect impacts across interconnected systems and introduces approaches for identifying and assessing cascading effects on communities and infrastructure.
May | Understand Risk and Vulnerability Across Lives and Systems
With hazards identified, this webinar shifts focus to vulnerability within a systems-level resilience framework. Participants identify the factors that shape vulnerability for individuals and systems. At the same time, they learn strategies to reduce exposure and sensitivity and explore how perception, experience, and community values influence risk assessment and communication.
June | Plan and Act Early to Strengthen Proactive Resilience
Next, the series turns toward action. Participants explore the relationship between adaptation and resilience while gaining tools to strengthen adaptive capacity. In particular, the session shows how communities can integrate hazard mitigation into planning and infrastructure decisions across all four resilience pillars to support long-term, proactive action.
July | Use Systems Thinking to Build Resilient Communities
At this point, participants step back to examine the broader system. This session introduces systems thinking tools for analyzing complex, interdependent systems. Participants identify leverage points, examine feedback loops, and apply systems-based approaches to resilience planning.
August | Advance Equity by Expanding Access to Essential Resources
With systems in view, this webinar centers equity. Participants examine how systemic inequities shape access to resilience resources and opportunities. As a result, they explore justice-centered strategies that support inclusive resilience planning and help ensure marginalized communities are not left behind.
September | Lead and Sustain Change for Long-Term Resilience
As plans move toward implementation, this session focuses on change management. Participants learn core principles of organizational and community change management and apply them directly to resilience initiatives. The session emphasizes strategies for leading, implementing, and sustaining meaningful change across diverse contexts.
October | Strengthen Resilience Through Better Decision-Making
Next, the series examines how decisions influence resilience outcomes at multiple levels. Participants explore decision-making theories related to governance and, in turn, learn tools that support inclusive, evidence-based planning.
November | Communicate Clearly to Build Shared Meaning and Trust
As collaboration becomes essential, participants strengthen their ability to communicate resilience concepts to diverse audiences. The session focuses on facilitating inclusive discussions and designing convenings that build trust, engagement, and shared understanding across sectors.
December | See Resilience in Action Across Virginia Communities
Finally, the Academy brings resilience to life through case studies from communities and regions across Virginia. Participants see how local governments, regional partnerships, and community organizations assess risks, leverage partnerships, and adapt strategies to local context—gaining practical lessons, transferable approaches, and inspiration for future resilience efforts.
Stay Tuned
Registration for the 2026 Resiliency Academy opens soon. We invite local government staff, regional partners, community organizations, and resilience practitioners across Virginia to stay tuned for upcoming details, including session speakers and registration information. Join us in 2026 as we explore what resilience looks like.
