Get to know N-EWN

A community of researchers, practitioners, and educators working together to advance the practice of natural infrastructure.

We work across four main branches

In order to help facilitate the widespread adoption of natural infrastructure practices across the United States, we’ve identified four main areas that need additional work:

Developing methods and standards

New tools, techniques and guidance are needed to effectively plan, design, construct and operate natural infrastructure at different scales

Assessing benefits and costs

Natural infrastructure provides communities with a broad array of economic, environmental and social benefits. Improved approaches are needed to evaluate, quantify and forecast these benefits to support planning and decision making

Monitoring performance and outcomes

Technically sound, efficient and applicable methods are needed to track natural infrastructure performance over time, develop the evidence base for future designs, ensure compliance with policy and inform project operations and adaptive management

Integrating people and policy

Providing infrastructure that supports human wellbeing and equitably meets the needs of diverse communities requires integration of human values, attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and policies with modern communication and collaboration practices


Combining a diversity of on-the-ground experience with interdisciplinary teams.

The N-EWN community is made up of over 30 partners from industry, academia and the non-profit sector.

What N-EWN’s been up to:

  • Beneficial Use of Dredge Materials: Video Highlight

    Beneficial Use of Dredge Materials: Video Highlight

    N-EWN Partners Dr. Rhett Jackson, Dr. Mark Risse, Oscar Villegas, and Caleb Sytsma joined USACE Savannah District Biologist Summer Wright to visit the Marinex cutter suction dredge Hampton Roads on the upper Savannah River Harbor to learn more about standard dredging operations.

  • Upcoming N-EWN Knowledge Series!

    Upcoming N-EWN Knowledge Series!

    The Network for Engineering With Nature® (EWN) invites you to the N-EWN Knowledge Series: A Continuing Education Series about Engineering with Nature- A Work in Progress: Adapting to Climate Impacts in the San Francisco Bay using Engineering with Nature, with Julie R. Beagle. This 1-hour Zoom webinar will take place Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 12:30 ET.  Julie R. Beagle is the Environmental…

  • Don’t miss out! Upcoming N-EWN Events & Media

    Don’t miss out! Upcoming N-EWN Events & Media

    Live Lecture: Engineering the Nature of Change TONIGHT 7 FEB, 6:30 PM CT The first lecture in this five-part series features Dr. Todd Bridges, National Lead for USACE Engineering With Nature®. Dr. Bridges will speak about Innovating for a More Resilient and Sustainable Future. The series is one of only two Presidential Dream Courses held by…

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