Central Great Plains EWN/NBS Workshop
EWN/NBS OPPORTUNITIES INVENTORY
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is collaborating with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as part of their Engineering With Nature (EWN) initiative. One of the deliverables for this project is to develop an "inventory of opportunities" for potential applications of EWN, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), and similar concepts in the Central Great Plains. Over the past six months, we have made a concerted effort to identify and contact appropriate persons from state environmental agencies, Native American tribes, agricultural entities, energy companies, and non-profit organizations in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
On October 10-11, 2024, OU will be kicking off discussions by hosting the Central Great Plains EWN/NBS Opportunities Inventory Workshop in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Register by Sept. 1st to confirm your FREE spot.
DAY1
EWN/NBS CHARETTE SESSIONS
Day one will center around charette sessions, devoted to gathering information to identify opportunities and challenges for employing EWN/NBS and similar projects (e.g. ecological engineering, sustainable development) in each of the Central Great Plains states. Between sessions, a complimentary lunch will be offered.
DAY2
FIELD TRIP
On day two, attendees will have the chance to visit ecologically engineered passive treatment systems implemented by the Center for Restoration of Ecosystems and Watersheds (CREW) to treat degraded mine water from the abandoned lead and zinc mines at the Tar Creek Superfund site. Attendees will also get to visit the Grand River Dam Authority's (GRDA) Neosho Bottoms Restoration and Research Site, where staff use prescribed fires and habitat enhancements, such as duck food plots, to restore degraded lands and promote biodiversity.
AGENDA
*BOG = Break-out Group
| TIME | DAY 1: CHARETTE (WED) | DAY 2: FIELD TRIPS (THURS) |
|---|---|---|
| 0800-0830 | Welcome and Introductions | Travel to Site 1 |
| 0830-0930 | BOG: Sector-Specific NBS Overview | " " |
| 0930-1000 | BOG: Pre-Workshop Survey Discussion | SITE 1: GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center |
| 1000-1020 | Break | Travel to Site 2 |
| 1020-1050 | BOG: Discussion: Within Sector (Opportunities and Challenges) | " " |
| 1050-1140 | " " | SITE 2: Mayer Ranch/Southeast Commerce Ecological Engineered Site |
| 1140-1200 | " " | Travel to lunch |
| 1200-1300 | Lunch (catered) | Lunch (Buffalo Run Casino) |
| 1300-1320 | BOG Discussion: Between Sectors (Opportunities and Challenges) | Travel to Site 3 |
| 1320-1430 | " " | SITE 3: Quapaw Catholic 40 Restoration Site |
| 1430-1450 | Break | " " |
| 1450-1550 | BOG Discussion: Summary Points | Travel back to OU Tulsa |
| 1550-1620 | Workshop Wrap-up | " " |
