2026 Summit | Delaware RASCL

Yellow and White Geometric Modern Running Event Banner (1).png

About

About the Summit

Join us for the 10th Anniversary RASCL Summit to explore innovative strategies, advancements in land use planning, tools for addressing emerging challenges, and inspiring local success stories. The event will also feature a happy hour after the meeting concludes to celebrate all we've accomplished in our first 10 years.

Registration & Location

$15 fee includes light breakfast, coffee, tea, and lunch and parking. Water will be available all day and attendees are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle.

Del-One Conference Center

Charles L. Terry Campus

Delaware Technical and Community College

100 Campus Drive, Building 700

Dover, DE 19904

Agenda

Summit Agenda

8:30 AM

Registration Opens

9:00 AM

Opening Remarks

Danielle Swallow, Delaware Sea Grant, RASCL Co-Chair

9:15 AM

RASCL 10th Anniversary Commemoration

Invited Guests

9:25 AM

RASCL Community Champion Awards Presentation

Open Space Alliance

9:35 AM

Featured Speaker

Mark Teschauer, US Climate Alliance

10:00 AM

Break

10:10 AM

Land Use Planning for Sustainable Communities

Building affordable housing, bike lanes, and compact communities all help meet climate goals. This session provides a deeper dive on strategies to build thriving sustainable communities, while reducing emissions and meeting climate resiliency goals. Speakers will highlight community success in zoning modernization, tiny homes and ADUs and transportation best practices.

Caitlin DelCollo, Delaware State Housing Authority

Jeremy Rothwell, Planner

Mike Fortner, City of Newark

Paul Moser, Delaware Department of Transportation

Moderated by: Susan Love, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, RASCL Co-Chair

11:45 AM

Lunch

12:50 PM

Featured Speaker

Katharine Burgess, Smart Growth America

1:25 PM

Land Use Planning for Resilience to Weather and Climate Hazards

What happens when a major weather event displaces fellow Delawareans from their homes for weeks or months? This session features a roundtable discussion with four local experts on planning and best practices for emergency housing when disaster strikes.

Disaster Housing Strategy Roundtable with

Vanessa Cullen, Delaware State Housing Authority

Lee Revis-Plank, Town of Milton

Brian J. Olszak, Town of Georgetown

Janet Reeves, City of Lewes

Moderated by: Lynne Pusey, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, RASCL Outreach Committee

2:30 PM

Break

2:40 PM

Local Success Stories

Becoming more resilient and sustainable at the local level doesn’t happen overnight. It takes vision, perseverance, and patience. This session features three panelists who will discuss their local successes in land preservation and greening urban spaces. Speakers will share strategies for overcoming barriers and building partnerships to secure a successful outcome.

Jill Hicks, Sussex County Land Use Working Group

Jamila Davey, Green for the Greater Good

Sara Bluhm, Sussex County Land Trust

Moderated by: Lisa Swanger, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays

3:50 PM

Closing Remarks

4:00 PM

Happy Hour