Proving Grounds

August 2020 - Our new Podcast page offers stories from a diverse network of scientists, engineers, researchers, and practitioners that are advancing much needed engineering and environmental outcomes by harnessing nature's power to solve problems and create more sustainable solutions. In this first season, our podcasts celebrate innovation and collaboration by sharing EWN stories that describe a variety of natural infrastructure projects and initiatives; demonstrate triple-win outcomes through expansion of economic, environmental and social benefits; and illustrate increases in community resilience.
October 2018 - This atlas is a collection of 56 projects that illustrate a diverse portfolio of contexts, motivations, and successful outcomes. These projects are presented and considered in this atlas using an Engineering With Nature® lens as a means of revealing the use of nature-based approaches and the range of benefits that can be achieved.
Raising the grade using natural Infrastructure.
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)’s recognizes natural infrastructure as a key solution for building resilience and raising the grade across all infrastructure sectors in the ASCE Report Card for America’s Infrastructure! Read more. Read more. (Internal link)
Forbes Article: A U.S. Conundrum—We Can Land on Mars But Not Restore Water 2 Weeks After An Ice Storm. Engineering with Nature is part of the solution for resilient infrastructure. Read more. (Internal link)
USACE and NOAA provide a joint EWN® briefing on the Hill for Congressional staff. Presentations highlighted two collaborative island restoration projects - Swan Island in the Chesapeake Bay and Mordecai Island in the Back Bays of New Jersey. Read more. (Internal link)
Join a virtual symposium 11:30 am to 1:30 pm CT, “Transforming Cities: Nature-based solutions, infrastructure, and equity.“ Dr. Todd Bridges will speak about EWN. The event is hosted by San Juan ULTRA. Read more to RSVP and Join. (Internal link)
Join us for an EWN Seminar, “Dow’s Valuing Nature Journey.” Hear from Dow and The Nature Conservancy about Dow’s commitment to identifying $1 billion in net present value. Read more. (Internal link)
Chief of Engineers, LTG Scott Spellmon, mentions EWN and The Nature Conservancy as an example of strengthening partnerships during an interview with his Alma Mater, the University of Illinois. Read the full interview here. (External link)
Congratulations to Dr. Jeff King, who received the 2020 Distinguished Service Award from Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture! Read more. (Internal link)
Quantifying Storm Protection Benefits of Coastal Mangroves. Watch here. (Internal link)
New Sediment Distribution Pipe Technology Advances EWN Principles. Watch here. (Internal link)
Dr. Todd Bridges discusses nature-based solutions and future coastal resilience in recent interview with Biohabitats. Read more. (Internal link)
Collaborators from around the world send 10th anniversary greetings to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineering With Nature® (EWN) initiative. Watch here. (Internal link)
An interview by Todd Bridges in the new book, “Building with Nature – Creating, implementing and upscaling Nature-based Solutions.” Read or Listen more. (Internal link)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering With Nature (EWN) Initiative enables more sustainable delivery of economic, social, and environmental benefits associated with water resources infrastructure. EWN is the intentional alignment of natural and engineering processes to efficiently and sustainably deliver economic, environmental, and social benefits through collaborative processes. EWN is a cross-cutting program of activities resulting from collaborations among multiple Civil Works Research, Development and Technology programs and non-USACE partners.
Dr. Todd Bridges, the National Lead for the EWN initiative, explains the four major elements to EWN. DOWNLOAD VIDEO (mp4, 240 mb) .... TRANSCRIPT (PDF)
Building on the success of EWN to date, the EWN Strategy 2018-2023 will expand implementation. Strategic Plan (PDF) .... More about EWN Initiative...
EWN works with governments, nonprofits, companies, and other organizations to enable more sustainable delivery of economic, social, and environmental benefits associated with water resources infrastructure on a national and worldwide scale.
DOERA federal program under USACE contributing to EWN projects.
link to DOER
RSMA federal program under USACE contributing to EWN projects.
link to RSM
EMRRPA federal program under USACE contributing to EWN projects.
link to EMRRP
DOTSA federal program under USACE contributing to the dissemination of EWN knowledge.
link to DOTS
FRMPA federal program under USACE to reduce flood risk.
link to FRMP
WOTSA federal program under USACE contributing to the dissemination of EWN knowledge.
link to WOTS
NAVSYSA federal program under USACE contributing to EWN projects.
NAVSYS fact sheet
USEPAA federal agency protecting human health and the environment as well as promoting green engineering.
link to EPA
TNCA non-profit organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.
link to TNC
SLTA non-profit organization protecting and enhancing land.
link to SLT
USBR A federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior overseeing water resource management.
link to USBR
USGSA federal agency dedicated to studying the landscape, its natural resources, and natural hazards that threaten it.
link to USGS
USFWSA federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, plants, and natural habitats.
link to FWS
WWFA non-profit organization dedicated to environmental conservation through science
link to WWF
EcoShapeAn organization dedicated to developing and sharing knowledge about Building with Nature in hydraulic engineering.
link to EcoShape
NOAAA federal agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce promoting living shorelines.
link to NOAA