Posted on January 13, 2022
Moving Towards Sustainable Practices
Sustainable water resources infrastructure is achieved through the beneficial integration of engineering and natural systems. With recent advances in the fields of engineering and ecology, there is an opportunity to combine these fields of practice into a single collaborative and cost-effective approach for infrastructure development and environmental management.
Triple-win outcomes are achieved throughout EWN by systematically integrating social, environmental, and economic considerations at every phase of a project. The results are innovative and resilient solutions that are more socially acceptable, viable and equitable, and, ultimately, more sustainable.
Key Elements
- Use science and engineering to produce operational efficiencies supporting sustainable delivery of project benefits.
- Use natural processes to maximum benefit, thereby reducing demands on limited resources, minimizing the environmental footprint of projects, and enhancing the quality of project benefits.
- Broaden and extend the base of benefits provided by projects to include substantiated economic, social, and environmental benefits.
- Use science-based collaboration to organize and focus interests, stakeholders, and partners to reduce social friction, resistance, and project delays while producing more broadly acceptable projects.
EWN Strategic Plan 2018-2023
Building on the success of EWN to date, the EWN Strategy 2018-2023 will expand implementation by:
- Broadening and deepening engagement and collaboration with colleagues across mission areas and organizations;
- Growing the capability to apply EWN principles and practices at project and system scales; and
- Increasing the number and diversity of EWN applications while communicating effectively about accomplishments and future opportunities.
EWN will continue to support the USACE Civil Works’ commitment to strengthen the Nation by bringing innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions to water resources challenges while contributing to the missions of its partners.
Shared Success
While developed as a USACE initiative, Engineering With Nature is accomplished by the collaborative work of partners from around the world. The tenth-anniversary video below highlights the wide-ranging partners who understand the vision of Engineering With Nature, aligning human purposes and natural processes for greater benefit.
