15
January
2026
EWN Engagements

N-EWN Seminar: Streamlined Success: Delivering Fish Passage in Complex Urban Systems

Purpose

Fish passage restoration is a cornerstone of aquatic ecosystem conservation and resilience. Restoring access to historic habitats supports healthy fish populations and benefits entire riverine and marine ecosystems, vital to biodiversity and the revitalization of commercial and recreational fisheries, which in turn creates jobs and increases ecological and economic resilience in rivers that run through local communities. This presentation demonstrates Stantec’s expertise in restoring fish passage and aquatic connectivity through innovative, nature-based solutions. By addressing complex technical, ecological, and regulatory challenges, our multidisciplinary teams deliver sustainable river restoration projects that benefit both fish populations and critical infrastructure. Our approach integrates thoughtful yet efficient planning, strategic engagement, adaptive design, effective construction, and collaboration with local communities interested in achieving lasting ecological and social outcomes. Featured case studies across North America showcase a practical pathway to overcome hurdles and move beyond planning to construct effective, long-lasting solutions that reconnect miles of river habitat, restore healthy fish populations, and benefit both ecosystems and the built environment.

N-EWN Knowledge Series Seminar announcement slide for November 2025 The N-EWN Knowledge Series A Continuing Education Series about Engineering with Nature. Speakers: Jonathan Scheibly, PWS, PE (Principal Water Resources Engineer), Sandra Nelson (Principal Aquatic Biologist), and Gwen Macdonald (Senior Project Manager). Title: Streamlined Success: Delivering Fish Passage in Complex Urban Systems. Abstract: Fish passage restoration is a cornerstone of aquatic ecosystem conservation and resilience. Restoring access to historic habitats supports healthy fish populations and benefits entire riverine and marine ecosystems, vital to biodiversity and the revitalization of commercial and recreational fisheries, which in turn creates jobs and increases ecological and economic resilience in rivers that run through local communities. This presentation demonstrates Stantec’s expertise in restoring fish passage and aquatic connectivity through innovative, nature-based solutions. By addressing complex technical, ecological, and regulatory challenges, our multidisciplinary teams deliver sustainable river restoration projects that benefit both fish populations and critical infrastructure. Our approach integrates thoughtful yet efficient planning, strategic engagement, adaptive design, effective construction, and collaboration with local communities interested in achieving lasting ecological and social outcomes. Featured case studies across North America showcase a practical pathway to overcome hurdles and move beyond planning to construct effective, long-lasting solutions that reconnect miles of river habitat, restore healthy fish populations, and benefit both ecosystems and the built environment. Save the date! Upcoming webinars will take place the 3rd Thursday of the month. Jan. 15, 12:30pm ET – Jonathan Scheibly, PWS, PE, Sandra Nelson, & Gwen Macdonald, all of Stantec, Streamlined Success: Delivering Fish Passage in Complex Urban Systems. Feb. 19, 12:30pm ET - Tom Klein, Waterfront Alliance; Waterfront Design for Resilient Communities. Mar. 19, 12:30pm ET - Dr. Quirijn Lodder, Principal Advisor Coastal Flood Risk Management and Evelien Brand, Technical Lead Coastline Maintenance, both of Rijkswaterstaat; Dutch experience with beaches and dunes as coastal Natural and Nature Based Features for Flood Risk Management - An overview of 30 years of nature-based coastline management. Register at https://bit.ly/3gR9ADL. 1 Continuing Education Credit (CEC) is available to attendees. Recorded webinars will be posted online at: https://n-ewn.org/resources/n-ewn-knowledge-seminars/. Presented by: Network for Engineering With Nature, LimnoTech, University of Georgia, and US Army Corps of Engineer’s Engineer Research and Development Center. Questions? Please contact: Alex Curwin, LimnoTech, acurwin@limno.com.

The Network for Engineering With Nature® (N-EWN) invites you to the N-EWN Knowledge Series: A Continuing Education Series about Engineering with Nature—Streamlined Success: Delivering Fish Passage in Complex Urban Systems, presented by Jonathan Scheibly, PWS, PE, Sandra Nelson, & Gwen Macdonald, all of Stantec. This 1-hour Zoom webinar took place January 15, 2026 at 12:30pm ET.

For previously recorded seminars, please visit the N-EWN Seminars page.

Related Links

  1. Fish passage: Fixing culverts is key to better stream habitat for salmon, other species
  2. Ballville Dam Removal and Sandusky River Restoration
  3. Klamath River Renewal
  4. Sumgas Creek Fish Passage and Stream Restoration
  5. Dam removal restores Connecticut river, aids fish passage
  6. Reconnected: Restoring the Rivers of Long Island Sound

What's Next

To register for upcoming seminars please go to the N-EWN Knowledge Series registration form.

Presentations

Point of Contact

Senior Project Manager, Stantec

Principal Aquatic Biologist, Stantec

Principal Water Resources Engineer, Stantec

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