Planting Refuge: Violence Prevention Through Vacant Property Greening

Recent research has shown that vacancy plays a significant role in encouraging local crime and that improving the state of vacant properties can prevent violence and foster safer communities.

This webinar will feature the work of the Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center in exploring the impact of vacant properties on the prevalence of crime and the effect that greening can play in prevention. Participants will hear about YVPC’s research and evaluation studies in partnership with local community organizations conducting greening and vacant land revitalization initiatives in Flint, Michigan; Camden, New Jersey; and Youngstown, Ohio.

Presenters:

• Alison Grodzinski, Managing Director – Prevention Research Center of Michigan/Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center
• Michelle Kondo, PhD, Research Social Scientist – USDA Forest Service, Philadelphia Field Station