MSRA Webinar Series - Is it asset protection or stream restoration? It’s both! Feat. Rebecca Oaks
MSRA is excited to continue our series of webinars featuring leading industry researchers and partners, as we strive to offer opportunities for discussion and promote advancement of the stream restoration science. Visit our website and social media channels for upcoming webinars.
Continuing Education Credits will be offered for the MSRA Webinar Series!
We hope you will join us:
When: Wednesday January 22, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: GoToWebinar
Following your registration, and prior to the event, you will receive a webinar link from GoToWebinar which will give you access to the webinar.
Will you be attending?
Register Today! Registration will Close at 3pm Tuesday January 21st.
EVENT DETAILS:
Cost: Free for members, $10 for non-members
Presentation Abstract:
There is a pattern in nearly all cities: where there are streams, there is infrastructure. Stream corridors are often used as undeveloped areas where infrastructure can run through without major disruption to usable space. Increasing peak storm flows, more frequent storms, and highly erosive forces have caused asset protection difficulties for aging water and sewer infrastructure within stream valleys. In-stream asset protection is usually seen as a problem that is separate from overall river health and stability, leading to solutions that focus solely on the asset rather than holistic watershed goals. This presentation explores the co-benefits of implementing in-stream asset protection measures combined with ecological restoration initiatives, emphasizing their synergistic environmental, social, and economic advantages.
In-stream asset protection aims to protect critical infrastructure and property from erosion, flooding, and other hydrological disturbances. Simultaneously, ecological restoration seeks to rehabilitate river systems by reestablishing native vegetation, enhancing habitat connectivity, and restoring natural hydrological patterns. When integrated, these strategies create multiple co-benefits, including improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity, and strengthened climate change resilience.
The co-benefits of these dual strategies extend beyond risk reduction. Restoring natural hydrodynamic conditions through ecological restoration improves sediment transport, stabilizes floodplains, and enhances water filtration, thereby supporting downstream water supplies and aquatic habitats. From a social perspective, in-stream asset protection and restoration provide opportunities for community engagement, recreation, and stewardship, fostering a sense of connection to natural resources. Economically, the integration of in-stream asset protection with restoration offers cost-effective alternatives to traditional engineering approaches by leveraging natural systems' adaptive capacity. These approaches reduce long-term costs by mitigating flood risks, preventing infrastructure damage, and minimizing reliance on costly engineered solutions.
This presentation will highlight that the alignment of in-stream asset protection and ecological restoration offers a holistic, multi-benefit approach to managing environmental challenges. Several case studies will be featured where ecological restoration was integrated into in-stream asset protection. Such integrated strategies have contributed to building resilient landscapes, protecting critical infrastructure, and promoting ecological integrity, ultimately advancing both environmental sustainability and community well-being.
Presenter's Bio:
Rebecca Oaks, PE is a Project Engineer at RK&K in the environmental, water resources department with 9 years of experience. She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from University at Buffalo and a Master’s of Science in Environmental Engineering from John Hopkins University. Rebecca is passionate about working in community spaces and restoring natural environments that work with communities to support habitat enrichment and water quality goals.
