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2026 Climate Resilient & Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) Convening

2026 CREWS Convening Objectives

Purpose and Goals:

Our purpose is to bring together CREWS grant partners and field partners working at the intersection of water, climate and equity in a generative in-person space for shared reflection, learning and mutual support. We aim to create space and enable attendees’ to build power and coordinate action on common equity and climate outcomes.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

  • Experience joy and meaningful connection.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the state of the field and peers’ work in order to identify and move forward strategic collaborations that help meet this moment. 
  • Come away with resources useful for movement building and advocacy practices.
  • Learn from the important leadership, stories, historical legacy, and promise of water, climate and equity work in New Orleans and generate ideas about how to apply those learnings.
  • Contribute your insights and learnings as a key partner in the past 10 years of CREWS and help inform future strategy at the intersection of water, climate and equity. 

Themes:

  • Celebration of progress in the field
  • Strategies to meet the moment
  • Mutual support and advocacy

Location:

The 2026 CREWS Convening will be held in New Orleans, LA.

Schedule & Agenda

Monday, March 23 – Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Day 1: Monday, March 23

DAY 1

CREWS REGISTRATION, CHECK-IN, COVID TESTING
Begins at 11 a.m.

BUS BEGINS LOADING FOR LEARNING VISITS
12:30 p.m.

LEARNING VISITS (OPTIONAL)
1 – 4 p.m. 

WELCOME RECEPTION AND PROGRAM START
5 – 8 p.m. 

 

Day 2: Tuesday, March 24

DAY 2

BREAKFAST
8 a.m. 

PROGRAM START AND OPENING GROUNDING WITH QUEEN MOTHER SULA
9 a.m.

CONVENING PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING KEYNOTE SPEAKER COLETTE PICHON-BATTLE 
9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

LUNCH
12 p.m. 

PROGRAM SESSIONS
1 – 5:15 p.m. 

DINNER AND RECEPTION: CHAPTER IV RESTAURANT
6:30 p.m.

Day 3: Wednesday, March 25

DAY 3

BREAKFAST
8 – 9 a.m. 

PROGRAM START
9 a.m. 

FIRESIDE CHAT OVER BRUNCH WITH RADHIKA FOX AND JALONNE WHITE-NEWSOME
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

PROGRAM SESSIONS
12:15 – 3 p.m. 

PROGRAM END
3 p.m. 

OPTIONAL DANCE AND YOGA WORKSHOPS
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.