Enhancing Community AQ Monitoring in Underserved Black & Hispanic Communities in Orange County, FL
An ARP Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring Grant Goal of the GrantRecipient: Coalition of 100 Black Women-Central FloridaThe goal of our project is to create a Community Air Quality Advisory Council composed of representatives from underserved communities in Orange County, FL that is informed by Community Science Air Quality Monitoring.
The proposed project will engage people who live, work or worship in underserved communities in meaningful Community Science and Civic Engagement activity: 1) Measurement of air pollutants in underserved diverse communities with heavily traveled roads and fossil fuel infrastructure and 2) Council formation and data reporting to the public and to local government.
Work to be performed includes administrative and education activities, formation and governance of a Community Air Quality Advisory Council, establishment of a Community Science Air Quality monitoring network and reporting of high quality defensible data on the concentrations of particulate matter (2.5 microns and smaller), ozone and nitrogen dioxide.
The presence of high quality air pollution monitors that communicate meaningful real time data to an online account that informs a community council and residents is the foundation for a future where 5G and 6G broadband will enable residents to view air pollutant and weather information that they have identified as important in their community.
Coalition of 100 Black Women of Central Florida
is in the FDEP Plan
Click on the image to enlarge.
2024 Community Monitor Sites
.
Welcome
Enhanced AQ Monitoring Grant
Project collaborators met to share a project overview.
Mapping Workshop
Residents Map Proposed Sites
Participants learned about monitor siting requirements and then proposed sites where they thought monitors could be placed.
Confirming Secured Sites Can Meet Siting Requirements
Team Building and Getting Commitments for Secure Sites
The project timeline and the monitor siting and installation requirements in the draft Quality Assurance Project Plan will be covered. Possible edits and additions will be discussed. The presentation will be followed by a tour of proposed sites that residents reported can be secured, and the Federal Reference Method monitoring station where the project monitors may be collocated prior to being placed at the community selected sites. Participants will report their observations on surveys of the sites under consideration.
Gallery for the December 2, 2023 EPA Enhanced Air Quality Community Meeting and Tour
Photos by Martha Hartgering
Project Manager Lawanna Gelzer, Project Manager and President, Coalition of 100 Black Women of Central Florida opens the program
Assistant Project Manager and Co-Rector of Christ the King Episcopal Church Rev Dr Jose Rodriguez speaks
Project Quality Assurance Manager, VP of Health Initiatives Foundation, Inc and Dir. UU Justice Florida Jan Booher Presents an Overview of Monitor Placement and Project Design
From Left to Right Jan Booher, Henry Mendoza, Rev Dr Jose Rodriguez, L’Ason, Lawanna Gelzer, Fidel Mendoza, Sylvia Mendoza and and members of the Christ the King Team
Tangelo Park Residents
Project Manager Lawanna Gelzer, Project Manager and President, Coalition of 100 Black Women of Central Florida Listens to Residents’ Comments
Jean, Lawanna, L’Ason and Jan at the Winter Park Federal Reference Method Monitors
Group Tour at First Unitarian Church of Orlando – Determining Monitor placement that meets requirements
Lawanna Gelzer paces off the distance from a tree drip line to the likely position of a monitor if placed on the roof of Christ the King Episcopalian Church
Rev Dr Jose Rodriguez, Allianza Representative, Fr Huber, Jan Booher and Jean mapping out monitor sites in Azalea Park at Christ the King Episcopal Church
Entrance Overhang of Eatonville Town Hall: One proposed monitor site is on the roof above where Jan Booher is posting longitude and latitude in an app on her phone.
Gas and particulate intake probes on the roof of the Federal Reference Monitor station in Winter Park, FL
Upcoming Trainings & Workshops
Community Scientists, Environmental Engineers and Educators
2
Dec
2023
TBD
Apr
2024
TBD
May
2024
TBD
Feb
TBD
Feb
TBD
Mar
TBD
Mar
TBD
Apr
TBD
Mar
Community Air Quality Advisory Council
TBD
Apr
2024
TBD
TBD
Contact
Ms Betty Resilience Hub and Learning Center
Address
825 W Washington St
Orlando, FL 32805
Webpage designed by Heron Bridge Education, LLC
With generous support from EPA ARP AQ Enhanced Monitoring Grant #5X02D45423