Margaret Schneemann
Margaret Schneemann is a water resource economist with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG). Her work focuses on the intersection of economics, urban planning, and water resource management. Schneemann’s position is through a partnership of IISG, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), and University of Illinois Extension. Ms. Schneemann is located in the CMAP offices in Chicago. She currently focuses on projects to create resilient and equitable communities and economies in the Great Lakes region.
Mary Pat McGuire
Mary Pat McGuire is an associate professor of landscape architecture, licensed landscape architect, and director of The Water Lab. Her design research falls within the theory and practice of water urbanism and specifically confronts one of the biggest issues we face: how to redesign the (impervious) surfaces of cities for rainwater. She teaches design studios on this issue and collaborates with geologists, hydrologists, engineers, and artists on water, integrating scientific investigation, modeling, design research, and experiential learning to reunite people, land, and water in cities. Through this work she advocates for equitable and resilient water systems and green/blue infrastructure in Great Lakes cities.
Eliana Brown
Eliana Brown is the stormwater specialist with the University of Illinois Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and is the Director of the Red Oak Rain Garden. Her areas of expertise are the regulatory aspects of wastewater and stormwater programs and green infrastructure. She also leads Extension’s role facilitating the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and is a National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) instructor at Parkland College.
Layne Knoche
Layne Knoche is an Outreach Associate with the University of Illinois Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. He provides science-based outreach and communication on stormwater, with an emphasis on the use of native plants and native plant design. He develops digital and print stormwater outreach materials, serves as the landscape designer of the Red Oak Rain Garden, and helps facilitate and coordinate the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Layne holds a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is also a certified Illinois Master Gardener.