Allison Haertling, AICP, is a planner with The Water Institute where she specializes in planning and policy research on environmental justice and equitable climate adaptation and resilience. Her recent work includes resilience planning efforts for Walton County, FL and the cities of Mobile, AL and Jacksonville, FL, policy research to improve the evaluation of nature-based solutions and distribution of project benefits to environmental justice communities in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' projects and programs, and supporting development of a long-term strategic plan for groundwater sustainability in Louisiana's Capital Area (i.e., Baton Rouge and surrounding areas).

Prior to joining The Water Institute, Allison was a research associate at the University of New Orleans Center for Hazards Assessment, Response & Technology (UNO-CHART) where she provided technical assistance to the Louisiana Office of Community Development and local and regional watershed management partners as part of the Louisiana Watershed Initiative. In addition, Allison conducted policy and planning research on the National Flood Insurance Program, the Community Rating System, and flood mitigation strategies and their associated socioeconomic impacts to Louisiana’s communities.

Allison received her bachelor’s degree from New York University and her master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, as well as a graduate certificate in Disaster Management and Community Resilience, from the University of New Orleans. Her graduate work focused on migration, coastal and climate gentrification, adaptation planning, and the socioeconomic impacts of recreational development to coastal and rural communities.

Allison is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. She is a member of the Louisiana Floodplain Management Association and the American Planning Association.