Engineering With Nature

Research

EWN® research activities encompass diverse landscapes, geographies, challenges, and techniques, with ongoing efforts to explore nature-based solutions for a wide range of natural hazards and challenges. Multiple projects have been funded to investigate topics such as sediment management, flood risk, coastal storms, drought, wildfire, and habitat health.

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Landscape image of water on left, healthy mangroves on right, with expanse of sky and sun rays breaking through the clouds.

Beneficial Use of Dredge Material in Mangrove Restoration Projects

  • September 9, 2025
The overarching goal of this project is to provide the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with science-based evidence on how thin layer placement (TLP) influences mangrove ecosystems. At present, the effect...
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Exposed rock barrier away from shore. To the left is are homes and a flag pole; to the right is a stretch of sand beach and the water.

Quantifying Hybrid Dunes for Barrier Island Resiliency

  • April 18, 2025
This project evaluates the effectiveness of hybrid dune systems—combinations of natural and hardened materials—for enhancing coastal protection and barrier island resilience. Through physical and ecological experiment...
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Fire Island in 2019 (Photo: https://www.nps.gov/fiis/learn/nature/breaches.htm)

Idealized Natural Infrastructure Simulator to Quantify Benefits

  • April 18, 2025
This project develops a standardized, simulation-based framework for evaluating the performance and benefits of natural infrastructure (NI) in coastal storm risk management. Using existing planning models and case stu...
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Aerial color rendering of a waterway with roads bridging across, lush vegetation along large sidewalks filled with people walking along both sides of the river. There are boats on the river and buildings represented a couple of blocks out from the river with a sprawling cityscape in the upper right background.

Reproducible Framework Standardized Methods to Score Resilience-Focused Outcomes of Nature-Based Solutions

  • April 18, 2025
This project develops a standardized, repeatable framework for assessing the broad, resilience-focused benefits of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). By integrating ecological, economic, and community metrics—including the...
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Aerial photo of a section of the muddy Rio Grande and flooding surrounding it amongst green trees dotting the landscape.

Ecosystem and Flood Risk Management Compatibility Investigation

  • April 16, 2025
This research project investigates how Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) have been used along the Rio Grande and its tributaries to support ecosystem restoration and flood risk management (FRM). Through case st...
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Gabions in Action LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Gabions along the Gallinas Canyon perform during a rainstorm, July 2022. Photo by Capt. Robert Zebrowski. This photo placed second based on employee voting.

Natural Infrastructure Tools for the Arid Southwest

  • April 16, 2025
This project will deliver design resources and implementation guidance to help USACE and partner agencies integrate Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) into flood risk and erosion management in arid and semi-arid...
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