The Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) is committed to advancing Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) within its region, leveraging its unique position along the Mississippi River. As an EWN Proving Ground, MVD serves as a hub for testing, implementing, and refining innovative EWN principles and practices across its missions. This initiative aims to integrate NBS into project execution, enhance collaboration with EWN researchers, and drive broader adoption of sustainable solutions across USACE.
The MVD Proving Ground will focus on applying EWN principles to a wide range of projects, including efforts to increase resilience in flood risk management and navigation systems, improve ecosystem restoration, and enhance sediment management practices.
Commander’s Memo
Commanders Memo signed by Major General, Kimberly A. Peeples, 21 October 2024.
“Engineering With Nature offers a comprehensive strategy for safeguarding the Mississippi River Valley’s future by balancing human needs with ecological integrity.” full memo
Major General, Kimberly A. Peeples, 21 October 2024
Key Focus Areas:
- Collaboration & Innovation: Partnering with EWN researchers and stakeholders to explore applications such as the beneficial use of dredged material for wetland restoration, riverine bank stabilization, and floodplain reconnection.
- Project Implementation: Advancing projects that integrate NBS to mitigate flood risks and improve waterway navigation while delivering co-benefits like habitat creation and community resilience.
- Technical Advancement: Addressing technical gaps, such as quantifying the benefits of NBS in reducing sedimentation impacts and improving ecosystem services, and refining guidance for practical implementation.
- Knowledge Sharing: Hosting workshops and sharing lessons learned from successful MVD projects, such as the use of innovative sediment placement techniques to restore ecological function in degraded wetland systems.
MVD’s Proving Ground designation will provide a platform to pilot scalable NBS approaches, delivering insights and solutions that can be replicated across the USACE.
Engineering With Nature in Mississippi Valley Districts
Saint Louis District (MVS)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District leverages decades of innovative river engineering to integrate Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) into navigation and ecosystem restoration on the Upper Mississippi River. Learn about more about EWN in the Saint Louis District.
