On July 11, 2024, Dr. Andrew McQueen from the ERDC Environmental Laboratory and Sabrina Collins from the USACE Huntington District participated in a multi-agency workshop focused on applying Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in Belle Isle Marsh. This workshop aimed to explore opportunities for Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) approaches in alignment with the City of Boston’s Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) goals.
The workshop brought together over 30 participants from federal, state, academic, and non-profit organizations, who worked to identify natural solutions for the largest and last-remaining salt-marsh in the greater Boston area. Discussions covered the ‘state of the science’ regarding past and present research and management plans for Belle Isle Marsh, a vital habitat for species such as the Saltmarsh Sparrow.
Lisa Winter and Todd Randall from the USACE New England District, along with representatives from the City of Boston, provided an overview of the CSRM study goals for East Boston. Dr. McQueen presented insights on NBS and EWN® opportunities for coastal urban marshes, while the Mystic River Watershed Association, Woods Hole Group, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation highlighted the management challenges and opportunities within the marsh.
The workshop emphasized the importance of collaboration across sectors to protect and manage this critical ecosystem, showcasing the potential of NBS to enhance resilience in urban coastal areas.
