Committee News
Chris Ewell, RLA
Chair, Facilities and Grounds Committee
The Facilities and Grounds Committee serves as your prime resource for “exchanging and developing ideas, information, skills, knowledge, and technologies for the operation, management, and maintenance of public buildings, grounds, and parks.” This sector of public works is changing rapidly with increased focus on lowering operating costs, saving energy and water, and trending technology advances such as modern building automation systems and the use of technology to inventory and manage public green infrastructure.
The Facilities and Grounds Committee and Knowledge Team Members are focusing on providing APWA members with insight into what facilities and grounds managers should know and equipping new industry professionals with a baseline of information to work with. We are doing this through our relevant articles in the APWA Reporter, as well as our work during 2026 on creating two APWA Guidebooks focused on Facilities and Grounds. These guidebooks will serve as a valuable resource for those new to the industry or considering entering it.
We are actively seeking those with expertise in subjects related to facilities and grounds, and who would like to participate on our knowledge team and/or contribute to the guidebooks. For more information, please email FGC@apwa.org.
Live Programs
Tech-Driven Trees: Advancing Urban Forestry with Technology
December 11
This live virtual program offers an in-depth exploration of how ground-based LiDAR technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning are transforming the way municipalities conduct urban tree inventories. Participants will examine the practical use of these advanced technologies, with a focus on key considerations such as cost, environmental conditions, and project-specific requirements.
Facilities and Grounds Management Certificate
Spring 2026
The Facilities and Grounds Management Certificate program will cover the basic need-to-know topics that professionals in the facilities and grounds disciplines need to understand to perform their jobs effectively and proficiently. The program provides training and real-life case studies in ADA compliance, grounds maintenance, preventative maintenance, capital improvement planning, and more.
Trending Resources
Public Works Benchmarks: Facilities and Grounds
APWA conducted a 2022 pilot benchmarking survey of 150 agencies across the United States. This document presents a detailed overview of key metrics pertaining to facilities and grounds, providing insights into the operational dynamics and resource use within these organizations.
Condition Assessments: Tools to Mitigate Failures and Service Interruptions
When facility or grounds components fail, customers are unable to complete their desired activities. A proactive approach using condition assessments and scheduling component replacement/renovation mitigates failures and service interruptions.
Advancements in Urban Forest Management
Over the past decade, technological advancements have profoundly transformed urban forest management. This program provides an overview of current technologies used in analyzing urban forests and a glimpse of emerging ones. These technologies streamline workflows, optimize resource allocation, and improve overall forest management efficiency.
Urban Forestry Toolbox
This toolbox provides information on tree preservation and protection, design considerations for new trees, and the benefits of including trees in asset management systems.