The EWN Initiative is also working to expand opportunities for application of natural and nature-based features (NNBF) by supporting R&D, technology transfer, stakeholder engagement and collaborative projects.

NNBF can be differentiated into two categories:
natural features and nature-based

credit:

features.

Natural features (e.g., a wetland system) are comparatively “long-standing” in terms of age and created through the action of natural physical, biological and chemical processes over time.

Whereas, nature-based features are created by human design, engineering and construction to mimic natural features that provide similar, if not identical, services (Bridges et al., 2015).

This project will establish an EWN Regional Proving Ground that resides in the Southeastern US.

A EWN Regional Proving Ground can be described as a location in the US where collaborative entities leverage resources to identify research opportunities and pursue actions necessary for experimenting with EWN principles and practice in current/future projects and related activities.

Major elements of an EWN Regional Proving Ground include, but are not limited to:
(1) R&D that builds upon and expands current research efforts within EWN portfolio and leads to expanded technology transfer opportunities; (2) application of EWN techniques that are demonstrated through field-scale demonstration projects; (3) educational and outreach opportunities for the public; (4) a communication platform that results in the timely delivery of informational products and/or engagements across the EWN network.

Example products originating and subsequently disseminated from a communication platform include:
workshops/symposia, news articles, videos, documentaries, graphics, reporting of case studies, technical notes, journal articles, etc.;.

Moreover, leveraging infrastructure assets of an institution accelerates growth and sustainability within an emerging proving ground.

Examples include:
use of meeting space, synchronization of modeling and computer technologies, coordinated websites, sabbaticals to respective campuses, shared research facilities and instrumentation.