Green Infrastructure Study Tour: Los Angeles & Santa Monica
About the Tour
This trip is a (2) two day tour of innovative green infrastructure in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. On the first day, participants will tour the innovative stormwater harvesting systems in Santa Monica, including the award-winning Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility (S.M.U.R.R.F.) and numerous residential green infrastructure sites. This leg of the tour will be led by Neal Shapiro, Watershed Program Coordinator in the Office of Sustainability and the Environment for the City of Santa Monica. On the second day, participants will tour green infrastructure sites such as green streets and alleys, offline constructed wetlands, and rainwater harvesting in Los Angeles. This leg of the tour will be led by Wing Tam from the City of Los Angeles Watershed Protection Division. This tour has very limited availability (14 seats total) and will only be offered once.
Registration Information
Fees
Tour Fee – $299
Fee includes van transportation while on the tour and lunch both days. Fee does not cover airfare, hotel, breakfast or dinner.
Payment Instructions
We accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express for payment of your registration fee. Or you may send us a check made payable to NCSU – BAE. Mail to:
NCSU-BAE
Campus Box 7625
Raleigh, NC 27695
Attn: Brittany Santore
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Due to the limited seating and nature of this trip, refunds will only be provided if seat can be filled by another participant. Also, if the trip does not reach it’s minimum capacity of 8 people, the trip will be cancelled and all participants will be refunded their registration fees.
Severe Weather Cancellation and Refund Policy
Lodging
Below are the reasonably priced hotels in the Santa Monica area. Coordinator called for quotes in July and the following were in the low $200s per night. The instructors will be staying at the Gateway Hotel Santa Monica.
Gateway Hotel Santa Monica – Start and End Location Each Day
Phone: 310-829-9100
Phone: 310-260-1100
Phone: 310-392-2787
Phone: 310-450-5766
Flights
From RDU to LAX
There are three non-stop flights from RDU to LAX – American, Delta, and Alaska. As of July 31, 2019, the non-stop flights range from roughly $350 – $525. Flights with connections range from $300-$350.
From CLT to LAX
There is one non-stop flight from CLT to LAX – American. As of July 31, 2019, the non-stop flight was roughly $1000. Flights with connections range from $300-$400.
Tour Schedule
Below is a draft schedule of the tour and topics that will be covered and is are subject to change.
| Agenda | |
| Day 1 | |
| 8:15 am | Leave Hotel (Transportation Provided) and arrive at Santa Monica Public Works |
| 8:30 am – 12:00 pm | Tour Innovative Stormwater Harvesting Systems in Santa Monica, including the award-winning, S.M.U.R.R.F. |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Visit Numerous residential sites to look at residential green infrastructure. |
| 3:30 pm – 3:45 pm | Return to Hotel |
| 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Optional Dinner |
| Day 2 | |
| 8:30 am – 9:15 am | Leave Hotel (Transportation Provided) and Arrive at LA Public Works |
| 9:30 am – 12:00 pm | Tour LA Green Infrastructure including green streets and alleys, offline constructed wetlands, and rainwater harvesting |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Continue Tour of LA Green Infrastructure |
| 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm | Return to Hotel |
Our Instructors
William F. Hunt, III, Ph.D.
Dr. Hunt is a Professor and Extension Specialist in North Carolina State University’s Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. Dr. Hunt holds degrees in Civil Engineering (NCSU, B.S.), Economics (NCSU, B.S.), Biological and Agricultural Engineering (NCSU, M.S.) and Agricultural and Biological Engineering, (Penn State, Ph.D.). He is a registered PE in North Carolina.
Since 2000, Hunt has assisted with the design, installation, and/or monitoring of over 90 stormwater best management practices (BMPs), including bioretention, stormwater wetlands, innovative wet ponds, green roofs, permeable pavement, water harvesting/cistern systems and level spreaders. He teaches 20-25 short courses and workshops each year on stormwater BMP design, function, and maintenance throughout North Carolina and the US.
Bill Lord
Bill Lord is an Area Environmental Agent with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service. Mr. Lord has received a BS degree in Horticulture and an MS degree in Entomology from NC State University. A 25-year veteran of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Mr. Lord has experience in stormwater runoff, nutrient and pesticide management, and plant growth. He has supervised the construction and maintenance of several stormwater practices including stormwater wetlands, wet ponds, and bioretention areas. He also pioneered research on mosquito populations in stormwater facilities across North Carolina. Mr. Lord is a member of NC Cooperative Extension’s Watershed Education Network and the Neuse Education Team. Annually, he conducts 12 to 15 workshops on stormwater management practice construction and maintenance throughout North Carolina and the US.
Professional Development Hours
The following professional development hours (PDHs) are awarded after successful completion of this tour:
- 10 PDHs for professional engineers and land surveyors (approved by the NC Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors) for the trip.
- Other professionals may appeal to their respective boards to obtain professional education credits.