Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission Community Advocacy

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Melissa Berkland

April Bril serves as a Safe Routes to School Coordinator with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC), where she teaches bicycle safety, coordinates Walking and Biking School Bus programs, and promotes active transportation throughout Northeast Iowa. She will be visiting the After Hours group to speak about the variety of UERPC programs supporting the local community.

April helped champion Decorah's WalkBike Month initiative this past Spring through community events, citywide signage, and the return of bike rodeos for Carrie Lee Elementary students. She has also helped develop programs such as the annual Recycle Your Bicycle campaign, as well as Winter Walking Field Trips and the spring/fall Biking Field Trips program, co-hosted with the Decorah Public Library. She enjoys the variety of her work and the opportunity to partner with students, families, schools, and community leaders to build healthier, more connected communities.

April graduated from Decorah High School in 2004 and received her bachelor's degree from Loras College in 2008. She and her husband returned to Northeast Iowa in 2015 and enjoy raising their three children, two dogs, and several chickens near friends and family.

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