Free WEDG Workshop
Tuesday, October 14 | 2:00 – 4:00 PM | Moline, IL
Presented by the Waterfront Alliance | Hosted by River Action
River Action's 2025 Upper Mississippi River Conference will feature an exciting new addition: For the first time in conference history, one of our collaborators, the Waterfront Alliance, will host a free WEDG (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) Workshop.
WEDG is a national rating system and set of guidelines to create resilient, ecological, and accessible waterfronts. At this workshop, you will learn about WEDG's sustainable waterfront development accreditation system and apply WEDG guidelines to a local project that is of interest to the Waterfront Alliance. Local residents are likely familiar with RENEW Moline, a city initiative backed by a multidisciplinary team with the goal of revitalizing the riverfront. WEDG representatives will discuss this project at the workshop, and apply their 6 categories of investigation, including site assessment, climate resilience, community access, edge composition, natural resources, and innovation. By reviewing the project through the lens of these criteria, the development will be more likely to withstand future environmental threats and foster a more positive sense of place for community members.
This new opportunity is funded by the Walton Family Foundation, with the goal of expanding the reach of the Waterfront Alliance to freshwater regions. The presence of the Waterfront Alliance has historically been limited to coastal communities facing the impacts of sea level rise; however, the organization has now been able to expand to three inland municipalities, two of which are in Iowa. Cedar Rapids, the Quad Cities, and Memphis, Tennessee will all receive funding for WEDG. The WEDG evaluation and accreditation will bolster the capacity for projects in these areas to create development plans that work with the river’s natural edge, rather than against it.
Whether you are a developer, city planner, landscape architect, or simply curious to learn about sustainable waterfront design, this workshop is an opportunity to equip yourself with knowledge for the betterment of our riverway communities.
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Why Attend?
Learn from experts at the Waterfront Alliance. Discover how WEDG applies locally through the RENEW Moline riverfront plan.
Understand the 6 WEDG categories:
- Site Assessment
- Climate Resilience
- Community Access
- Edge Composition
- Natural Resources
- Innovation
- Take home knowledge that strengthens projects across the Upper Midwest.
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Event Details
Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Location: Stoney Creek In | Moline, Illinois
Cost: Free, thanks to the Walton Family Foundation
A WEDG-hosted reception will immediately follow the workshop from 4:00 – 5:30 PM. Network with peers, meet the trainers, and continue the conversation over refreshments.
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About WEDG: Developed by the Waterfront Alliance, WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) is the gold standard for resilient, accessible, and sustainable waterfront design. From coastal cities to inland rivers, WEDG equips communities to build with nature rather than against it.
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