WEDG Professionals Course: Rivers Edition (July 2026)

Across the U.S., rivers have shaped our cities, communities, and ecosystems for centuries—but today's challenges demand a new approach to how we plan and protect them.

Join the Waterfront Alliance Wednesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 30 from 1:00 – 5:30 PM CT for a Livestream of the WEDG Professionals Course: Rivers Edition, a national training program that empowers professionals to design and implement high-quality waterfront projects along rivers, creeks, and inland waterways. Rooted in the WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) — a national standard for resilient, ecological, and accessible waterfronts — this course introduces a practical framework for advocates, community members, landscape architects, engineers, planners, city officials, and others who work and live along our rivers.

By joining the course, you will understand the unique flood risks and climate challenges facing riverine communities, explore nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, and community engagement strategies, and learn to apply WEDG V3.0 through case studies of projects in Denver, Memphis, Miami, and beyond. After completing this two-day guided virtual course and passing the open-book exam, participants can earn their WEDG Associate credential.

About WEDG
WEDG is an award-winning national rating system for waterfront design that recognizes developers and site owners for resilient, sustainable, and accessible waterfront design. An evidence-based system developed by a cross-cutting field of resilience experts, WEDG is akin to LEED®, Envision®, Green Globes®, or SITES® but focused on the unique complexities and opportunities that exist at the water’s edge.

WEDG guides projects and communities on how to develop and protect waterfronts, coastlines, and shorelines in the face of climate impacts that are unavoidable - sea level rise, increased storm intensity and more frequent flooding, and urban heat among them. By influencing projects with sound guidance, educating professionals, and engaging and supporting community groups, WEDG not only influences individual sites, but it can shift the field of practice. Through WEDG, all waterfronts can move toward resilience, ecology, and access for all.

Livestream Course Agenda
The livestream course will guide participants through the standard and feature case studies from the following projects:

Wednesday, July 29 | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM CT

• 1:00 – 1:45 | Resilience, Ecology, and Access
• 1:45 – 2:15 | Category 0: Site Assessment & Planning
• 2:15 – 2:20 | Break
• 2:20 – 2:50 | Category 0 Case Study: Jose Marti Park
• 2:50 – 3:35 | Category 1: Climate and Hazard Resilience
• 3:35 – 3:45 | Break
• 3:45 – 4:15 | Category 1 Case Study: Denver River Mile
• 4:15 – 4:45 | Category 2: Community Access & Connections
• 4:45 – 5:00 | Next Steps

Thursday, July 30 | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM CT

• 1:00 – 1:05 | Category 2: Recap
• 1:05 – 1:35 | Category 2 Case Study: Tom Lee Park
• 1:35 – 2:05 | Category 3: Edge Composition
• 2:05 – 2:35 | Category 3 Case Study: Bronx Point
• 2:35 – 2:40 | Break
• 2:40 – 3:20 | Category 4: Natural Resources & Sustainability
• 3:20 – 3:50 | Category 4 Case Study: Riverfront Park (Wilmington)
• 3:50 – 4:00 | Category 5: Innovation
• 4:00 – 4:05 | Break
• 4:05 – 4:20 | WEDG Policy & Finance
• 4:20 – 4:50 | WEDG Verification and Review
• 4:50 – 5:00 | Next Steps

Thursday, July 30 | 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM CT

• Optional Networking Happy Hour

Speakers

• Robert Curtis, Curtis + Rogers Design Studio
• Furhana Husani, Waterfront Alliance
• Tom Klein, University of Miami’s Center for Urban and Community Design
• Kyle McKay, Woolpert
• Ben Murphy, Calibre Engineering
• Julie Raskin, Waterfront Alliance
• Yadiel Rivera-Díaz, Marvel

More speakers to come!

WEDG Associate Exam
Following the course, participants will be sent an open book, 50-question exam that they must complete within two weeks to earn the WEDG Associate credential.

CEUs Available
6 AIA LU, 6 LA CES

Discounts & Scholarship Opportunities

Mississippi River Basin - Funded by Walton Family Foundation

• Nonprofits/Public Sector in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana: Training is Free
• Private Sector in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana: $300 Rate ($100 off)

New York M/WBE and SDVOBs - Funded by Ørsted

• Professionals working for New York State-registered Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) and/or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB) who reside or work in a New York State designated Disadvantaged Communities: Training is Free. Check your Eligibility.

Public Servants Dismissed by the Federal Administration

• Waterfront Alliance invites those public servants who have been dismissed by the Trump administration to participate in our WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) Professionals Course at No Cost. It is our sincere hope that the WEDG Associate credential, earned by more than 1,000 professionals nationwide, can serve you in your job search. Check your Eligibility.

Groups of Five or More

• Groups registering five or more people from the same firm or organization are eligible for a Discount from either the Private Sector or Public Sector/Non-Profit/Student rate. Please contact Valery Aguilar, Waterfront Planning & Design Program Specialist (vaguilar@waterfrontalliance.org) to confirm eligibility and a group discount code.