The Northwestern Division (NWD) is committed to integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) across its missions. Proving Grounds serve as locations where innovative EWN principles and practices are tested, implemented, and refined. Through this initiative, NWD aims to embed NBS into project execution across all business lines, enhance collaboration with EWN researchers, and drive the mainstream adoption of NBS throughout USACE.
The NWD NBS Cadre will play a key role in facilitating training, engagement, and project execution, addressing current technical gaps, policy barriers, and enhancing guidance for NBS implementation. The Cadre will also support research and development efforts, ensuring field-level practitioners are directly involved in shaping NBS research priorities. This initiative will enable NWD to test new ideas, document lessons learned, and foster innovative solutions for sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
Commander’s Memo
Commanders Memo signed by Brigadier General, Geoffrey R. Van Epps, 14 June 2024.
“An important step toward making Nature-Based Solutions a routine and integral component of NWD programs!” full memo
Brigadier General, Geoffrey R. Van Epps, 14 June 2024
Key Focus Areas:
- Training & Engagement: Hosting training sessions, such as lunch and learns, to share NBS knowledge with planning and engineering staff.
- Project Execution: Closing technical gaps, addressing policy barriers, and supporting the development of NBS engineering guidance.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Clarifying the comprehensive benefits of NBS to facilitate planning and evaluation using tools like the Comprehensive Benefit Evaluation Scoping Tool (C-BEST).
- Military Program Integration: Supporting military installations in incorporating NBS into flood risk management, disaster resilience, and MILCON projects.
- Research & Collaboration: Engaging with researchers and facilitating collaboration with district-level end-users to ensure NBS research is relevant and actionable.
- NBS Funding Opportunities: Facilitating access to research funding and proposal development for advancing NBS knowledge and implementation.
NWD’s Proving Ground designation will help set a standard for the broader adoption of Nature-Based Solutions, providing valuable insights and successes that can be replicated across the USACE.
