The recent feature in “America’s Engineers: The People, Programs, and Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers” highlights the powerful impact of Engineering With Nature (EWN). While the concepts of Engineering With Nature have existed for some time, the deliberate integration of natural features into engineering solutions became a focused pursuit for USACE in 2010. This marked the establishment of Engineering With Nature as an initiative, aiming to encourage collaboration between USACE and its partners in exploring nature-based solutions, as detailed further in the article. Since then, EWN has grown an extensive research and development portfolio that spans USACE missions and established a network of international partners. The program’s key strength lies in its collaborative approach, drawing insights from scientists, engineers, and on-ground practitioners, to include designated “proving grounds” within USACE divisions and districts.
The article highlights projects being conducted in several EWN proving grounds. In the Galveston District the Texas Coastal Study is integrating natural elements like wetlands and barrier islands with engineered solutions to combat land loss due to storms and rising sea levels. Additionally, the project intends to utilize sediments dredged from navigable channels and ports to construct these landscape features keeping the valuable sediment resource in the system.
The article further showcases collaborative efforts from other EWN proving grounds that restore habitats while protecting against erosion and flooding. These projects reiterate the broader impact of EWN beyond flood protection to include ecological and social benefits while often being more cost-effective than traditional solutions.
Read the full article to learn more about the application of Engineering With Nature across the nation in “America’s Engineers: The People, Programs, and Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.”
