The Norfolk District (NAO), designated as an Engineering With Nature (EWN) Proving Ground in March 2025, represents a bold commitment to advancing nature-based solutions within a dynamic and challenging coastal environment. Situated in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, the Norfolk District is uniquely positioned to serve as a hub for innovative coastal resilience strategies due to its extensive network of tidal rivers, diverse ecosystems, and the convergence of urban and rural land uses.
Commander’s Memo
Commanders Memo signed by Lieutenant Colonel, Anthony C. Funkhouser, 20 March 2025.
“NAO is joining a dynamic and growing community of practice at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and across the USACE enterprise to implement EWN into our Civil Works program.” full memo
Lieutenant Colonel, Anthony C. Funkhouser, 20 March 2025
Purpose and Vision
The Norfolk District EWN Proving Ground is focused on implementing and advancing natural infrastructure to address critical issues related to:
- Flood risk reduction
- Water quality improvement
- Adaptive operations and maintenance of hybrid and natural infrastructure
- Long-term health and resilience of natural features and surrounding ecosystems
As the Hampton Roads region faces increasing challenges from rising sea levels, more frequent coastal storms, and the impacts of surge barriers, the Proving Ground serves as a testing and demonstration site for adaptive management practices. This includes monitoring the effects of storm surge barriers on tidal ecosystems, including changes in discharge, velocity, salinity, flushing responses, and wildlife impacts.
Community and Collaboration
The Norfolk District is supported by a wide range of partners and stakeholders, including federal, state, and local governments, academic institutions, and environmental organizations. The commitment of the community is evident through the support of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, Virginia state agencies, universities such as Old Dominion University and Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and numerous environmental nonprofits like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Southern Environmental Law Center.
This diverse coalition is dedicated to leveraging both national expertise and local knowledge to develop best practices and adaptive management strategies. The outcomes from this proving ground will be relevant not only to the Hampton Roads region but also to other coastal communities throughout the United States, informing the management of natural infrastructure within complex, high-risk environments.
EWN in Action
The Norfolk District’s commitment to holistic and science-based solutions aligns directly with USACE’s mission to implement natural infrastructure that enhances both community resilience and ecosystem health. Projects in the district, including Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) initiatives and surge barrier installations, will be monitored and evaluated to inform adaptive management practices that maintain the balance between engineering solutions and natural functions.
As projects develop and lessons are learned, the district will share insights with partners across the nation to enhance our collective understanding of implementing natural infrastructure for long-term success.
