In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the "greenest building" is often the one already standing. Adaptive Reuse is a powerful tool for sustainable development, historic preservation, and watershed protection. 

Navigating Adaptive Reuse with the Chesapeake Bay Trust

This webinar, hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, explores the intersection of environmental stewardship and urban revitalization. Participants will learn how the Chesapeake Bay Trust approached adaptive reuse.

Speakers: - Kathy Somoza and Sarah Lubawski

What You Will Learn

• The Environmental "Why": Understand how adaptive reuse reduces the "carbon debt" of new construction and helps manage stormwater runoff in developed areas.
• Sustainable Retrofitting: Learn about rain gardens and pervious surfaces that can be integrated into existing sites to meet modern environmental standards.
• Navigating the Process: Practical tips on community engagement, design permitting, and leveraging partnerships to bring a reuse vision to life.

• leveraging partnerships to bring a reuse vision to life.

Speaker Bios

Kathy Somoza is a Restoration Program Manager at the Chesapeake Bay Trust, where she manages programs such as the Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program, Healthy Communities, Healthy Environment Grant Program, and oversees rebate program partnerships. She is also proud to lead the Trust’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion body of work to drive equitable and inclusive engagement of all communities in the Chesapeake Bay region. She received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is currently working towards a Master’s in Public Health at Johns Hopkins.

Sarah Lubawski is the Office Manager at the Chesapeake Bay Trust, where she oversees facilities operations and maintenance for the organization’s green campus, manages workplace systems, and leads the Organizational Culture Committee, fostering a collaborative, mission-driven workplace. Since joining the Trust in 2024, she has drawn on her experience managing complex events and hospitality operations to keep facilities adaptable, efficient, and aligned with the organization’s goals. A lifelong Marylander with a deep connection to the Chesapeake Bay, Sarah is passionate about environmental education and community conservation. Outside of work, she enjoys family adventures with her husband and two young children and nurtures her creativity as a maker and artisan crafter. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Queens University of Charlotte.