Engineering With Nature® is the intentional alignment of natural and engineering processes to efficiently and effectively deliver economic, ecological, and social benefits through collaboration.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering With Nature® (EWN) Program applies science and engineering to deliver infrastructure solutions that are effective, resilient, and operationally efficient. By integrating natural and engineering processes, EWN delivers smarter, more efficient infrastructure—maximizing benefits for navigation, coastal storm protection, flood risk management, and ecosystem restoration.
Watch as Dr. Todd Bridges, the former National Lead and founder of EWN, explains the four major elements of EWN.
Engineering With Nature® (EWN) advances infrastructure solutions that do more than fulfill a single engineering function—they generate economic, ecological, and social benefits while meeting mission objectives such as coastal storm protection, flood risk management, navigation, and ecosystem restoration.
By integrating natural and built systems, EWN enhances infrastructure performance while strengthening resilience, potentially reducing costs, and creating lasting value for communities and ecosystems. Natural infrastructure—such as wetlands, dunes, and islands—absorb floodwaters, reduce wave energy, and stabilize shorelines, while also supporting fish and wildlife habitat, improving water quality, and providing recreational opportunities.
A rendering of a horizontal levee design that achieves storm and flood risk reduction while increasing habitat value.
Missouri River Levee L-536 Setback Project (2021): After the 2019 flood breached multiple locations of the L-536 levee, the setback project (under PL 84-99) restored risk reduction while reconnecting over 1,000 acres of floodplain to the Missouri River. This shift from repeated in-place levee repairs to a setback approach helps reduce long-term maintenance costs and infrastructure concerns. The expanded floodplain also enhances recreation, aesthetics, educational opportunities, and fish and wildlife habitat. A former borrow pit at the site was converted into an emergent wetland, providing additional ecological benefits.
Engineering With Nature® (EWN) enhances USACE’s ability to deliver resilient, efficient, and adaptable infrastructure that supports coastal storm protection, flood risk management, navigation, and ecosystem restoration. By integrating natural and built solutions, EWN improves infrastructure performance while delivering broader ecological and community benefits. Moving forward, EWN will continue to:
Through science, engineering, and strategic partnerships, EWN delivers infrastructure that is high-performing, future-ready, and aligned with USACE Civil Works priorities.
The Engineering With Nature Strategic Plan 2018-2023 provided a framework for expanding implementation and partnerships. EWN continues to build on this foundation, advancing innovative approaches to infrastructure challenges.
Engineering With Nature® is built on strong partnerships across disciplines and organizations worldwide. The tenth-anniversary video showcases the strong collaborations that have expanded EWN’s reach and impact, making it a force multiplier for USACE and its mission partners.
The strong relationships and collaborations built with partners around the world have fueled EWN’s progress over the past decade. Some of EWN’s partners share their greetings and congratulations on the 10th anniversary of EWN.
An ecosystem approach for planning, designing, constructing and operating projects where social, economic and ecological factors are thoughtfully weighed in the decision-making process.
Reflecting the reality that USACE projects exist in complex physical and social/cultural systems, and that a single action influences many other parts of the system.
Focused on the long-term resilience of project solutions and the benefit streams provided by the system over time.
Built on first understanding, then working deliberately with natural forces and processes to accomplish engineering goals.
Based on effective partner and stakeholder communication, engagement and collaboration through the entire life cycle of a project beginning at the earliest conceptual stages.
Reducing time and rework, while minimizing social friction.
Embracing new and emerging technologies and incorporating continuous learning, technology transfer and adoption of new practices.
Demonstrating adaptive attitudes, structures and processes that enable living, evolving and lasting projects.
Engineering With Nature® is the intentional alignment of natural and engineering processes to efficiently and effectively deliver economic, ecological, and social benefits through collaboration.