Established in 2019, the Network for Natural Infrastructure was formed by founding partners the University of Georgia and the U.S. Army Corp’s Engineering With Nature Initiative as an effort to accelerate the field of natural infrastructure.
Initially known as the Network for Engineering With Nature (N-EWN), the organization gained partners from universities, non-profits and corporations all committed to addressing the major infrastructure challenges facing our society through natural means.
To better encompass our growing community, we changed our name to the Network for Natural Infrastructure in 2026. While our identity has changed, our aim continues to be to align ecological, social and engineering processes to achieve multiple societal benefits.
What is natural infrastructure?
Engineering With Nature (EWN ® ) is the intentional alignment of natural and engineering processes to efficiently and sustainably deliver economic, environmental and social benefits through collaboration.
It utilizes natural infrastructure, including:
- Barrier reefs
- Dunes
- Levee setbacks
- Wetlands
- Riverine floodplains
- Forested watersheds
- And any other combination of natural and conventional infrastructure
Natural infrastructure performs engineering functions and services such as preventing erosion, reducing damage to property from storms, supporting thriving ecosystems.
It includes natural systems: whether conserved, created, enhanced or restored.
And it produces a broad array of social, environmental and economic benefits. Such as flood protection, providing recreation opportunities, supporting economically valuable species and absorbing pollution and carbon dioxide.
Our Vision
NNI is a network of vested organizations creating a resilient future by integrating conventional and natural infrastructure to improve societal well-being by sustainably delivering more value and benefits to people and ecosystems.
Our Mission
Gather
To facilitate the social dynamics of innovation among diverse organizations in a kind, transparent and productive space.
Advance
To advance research and practice, shorten the path to innovation, co-produce knowledge and build the value case for natural infrastructure.
Scale up
To mainstream natural infrastructure and bring it to a scale that provides broad societal benefits.
Inform
To provide expertise on the implementation of large-scale, sustainable and research-informed natural and hybrid infrastructure.
Educate
To empower the next generation of practitioners to align ecological, social and engineering processes through education and workforce development.
Advocate
To inform sound policy that facilitates a sustainable, equitable and resilient future.
Our Approach
Collaboration
Progress and innovation happen best through collaboration and partnerships across disciplines, organizations and perspectives.
Real-World Application
True innovation in infrastructure development and operations hinges on successful ‘on-the-ground’ demonstration of new ideas and approaches.
Transdisciplinary Research Teams
The most significant knowledge gaps in science and engineering occur at the boundaries of disciplines. We strive to fill in those gaps by working across boundaries.
Education and Outreach
We bridge educational boundaries to produce future infrastructure practitioners who are prepared to meet challenges and opportunities in the 21st century and beyond.
Meet our executive committee
Our executive committee is comprised of leaders from founding institutions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineering With Nature Initiative, and the University of Georgia’s Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems.
Todd Bridges
Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems,
University of Georgia
Jeff King
National Lead for the Engineering With Nature Initiative
ERDC
Amanda Tritinger
Deputy Program Manger
ERDC
Brian Bledsoe
Director of the Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems
University of Georgia