We are honored to congratulate our own Dr. Todd Bridges on being named a 2021 Presidential Rank Award winner, chosen by President Biden.
Dr. Bridges is the U.S. Army’s Senior Research Scientist for Environmental Science and the national lead for the USACE Engineering With Nature® initiative. He was the only Distinguished Senior Professional selection from the Department of the Army.
The EWN initiative continues to grow its network of research projects, field demonstrations and communication activities to promote sustainable, resilient infrastructure systems. During 2021, Dr. Bridges oversaw a number of significant publications including the International Guidelines on Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) for Flood Risk Management, a 1,000-page document that was the culmination of years of effort by numerous partners. These guidelines provide practitioners around the world with the best available information on the concepts, planning, design, engineering, construction, and maintenance of natural and nature-based features to support resilience and flood risk reduction for coastlines, bays, estuaries, rivers and freshwater systems.
Another distinguished moment in 2021, Dr. Bridges provided testimony to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing. He introduced the value of the nation’s natural capital and defined the term nature-based solution as intentional and substantial use of natural systems to support water resource solutions. During the testimony Dr. Bridges shared many collaborative successes achieved by multi-sector EWN partners.
Established in 1978, the Presidential Rank Award is given to members of the Senior Executive Service, Senior-Level, and Scientific and Professional corps. It is one of the most prestigious awards in the federal career civil service. This year, 230 winners from 37 federal agencies were selected by the President.
Congratulations Dr. Bridges!
