The US Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) program has been honored with the prestigious USACE sustainability award for its remarkable achievements in leveraging partnerships. EWN stands at the forefront of transformative innovation, demonstrating the incredible potential of nature-based solutions (NBS) to enhance our nation’s infrastructure.
EWN’s commitment to partnerships has been the driving force behind its remarkable achievements. Collaborators extend across USACE districts and divisions, federal and state agencies, tribal nations, nonprofit organizations, private industry, and academia. These relationships not only pave the way for innovative civil works projects but also deliver social, environmental, and economic benefits to the communities surrounding these projects. EWN’s influence beyond USACE has played a pivotal role in partner agencies’ climate policies, shaping the future of climate resilience across the nation.
The EWN approach integrates local and community knowledge with science-based best practices, resulting in projects that align with local goals and values. This holistic approach, from initial planning to ongoing maintenance and monitoring, has consistently involved workshops, public fora, community engagement, and a robust online presence, facilitating feedback and input.
To accelerate knowledge sharing, EWN established the Network for Engineering With Nature (N-EWN), a nationwide collaborative network. Additionally, EWN’s podcast, publications, atlases, technical reports, and other communication tools have reached thousands, inspiring practitioners, decision makers, and the public to embrace nature as a partner in infrastructure development.
EWN’s incredible journey of innovation, collaboration, and resilience demonstrates its well-deserved status as the winner of the USACE sustainability award for leveraging partnerships. EWN’s work stands as a testament to the power of partnerships and the potential of nature-based solutions for sustainable infrastructure, ultimately saving both dollars and lives.
