Washington brownfield conferences and workshops

Washington Brownfields Conference May 20–21, 2025, in Yakima
Join peers, brownfield professionals, and Ecology's Brownfields Team for in-depth workshops, sessions, and Q&As that help you turn brownfields into places people can thrive. The conference is for local governments, Tribes, nonprofits, and community organizations, as well as private entities such as environmental consultants, real estate developers, and others who want to clean up and turn brownfields into benefits like affordable housing, parks, habitat, and small businesses.
What you'll gain
- Resources such as funding and technical assistance, reuse planning, analyzing return on investment, how to engage communities and tell your story to decision makers.
- Strategies for turning brownfields into gems like affordable housing, restored habitat, or economic centers.
- Lessons learned and ideas from experienced community leaders who've been there.
- Connections with brownfield professionals including Ecology, Commerce, Region 10 EPA, and the Center for Creative Land Recycling.
- Great food and networking opportunities with an evening reception on day 1, continental breakfast and lunch on day 2, exhibit booths, tour, and stellar keynote addresses.
More of what you asked for!
If you attended a 2024 workshop in Richland, North Bend, or Bremerton, or our 2019 conference in Spokane, you'll find more of what you asked for: more success stories, financial information, analyses, and community engagement!
Keynote speakers
- Casey Sixkiller, Director of the Washington State Department of Ecology
- Michelle Roos, Executive Director of Environmental Protection Network
- Michael Echanove, former mayor of Palouse and Chair of Washington's Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB)
- Doug Willcox, former Chair of Palouse’s Brownfields Advisory Committee
- Sarah Sieloff (moderator), Urban Planner and Senior Client Account Manager, Haley & Aldrich
Details
- Yakima Convention & Event Center | 10 North 8th Street, Yakima, WA
- Register ($125–$365)
- Agenda (where you can also download the latest schedule)
- Lodging
Tuesday, May 20 | Workshops
- 11:30 a.m. Check-in
- 12–3 p.m. Choice of workshops
- Brownfield basics for people brand-new to redevelopment
- Workshop for Tribes and Tribal representatives
- Advanced brownfields.
- 3–5:30 p.m. Tour
- 5:30–7 p.m. Evening reception
Wednesday, May 21 | Sessions
- 7:30–9:45 a.m. Continental breakfast, morning keynote, exhibits, networking
- 9:45 a.m.–3:15 p.m. Three session tracks to choose from, lunch, keynote
- 3:20–4:30 p.m. Lightning round
Co-presented by Ecology and Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC).
The Brownfields Team offers workshops and other educational opportunities designed for local governments, Tribes, nonprofits, community organizations, and their environmental consultants who are interested in cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields.
There are about 14,000 brownfields in Washington and more than 400,000 nationwide, so chances are good you live near one. If you're a representative for a local government, Tribe, or community organization, you may have several brownfields in your town and wondered what to do with them.
Brownfield resources are available to turn properties like old gas stations and industrial sites into valuable public assets like affordable housing and small businesses. Attending a local event is a great way to learn about it. You'll hear about grants and loans, guidance called "technical assistance," and the cleanup process that makes properties safe for reuse. You can ask questions, network with peers, and learn how communities such as Palouse are successfully turning abandoned properties into revenue-generating assets.
Subscribe to the Brownfields Newsletter to stay on top of future events, or contact our team to request a presentation for your local government, Tribe, nonprofit, or community organization.
Upcoming events
Register for the 2025 Washington Brownfields Conference in Yakima on May 20–21! The event is co-presented by Ecology and the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC). Learn more at https://washingtonbrownfields.com/
Related links
Contact information
Ali Furmall
Small & Rural Communities Brownfields Specialist
ali.furmall@ecy.wa.gov
509-655-0538
Elaine Heim
Brownfields Program Communications Planner
elaine.heim@ecy.wa.gov
360-584-3750
Tina Hochwender
Brownfields Program Infrastructure Planner
tina.hochwender@ecy.wa.gov
564-669-1915