Nature-Based Restoration Planning: Challenges and Solutions

Residents’ demand to understand and prevent the catastrophic flooding periodically experienced in their Eastwick and Tinicum communities prompted a recent study, “Increasing Resilience in the Lower Darby Creek Area.”

This highly modified landscape is plagued by a legacy of environmental issues, including sinking homes, toxic-waste sites, poor air quality, heavy industry, air traffic, and chronic flooding. It is home to 35,000 residents and some of the most important regional infrastructure, including Philadelphia International Airport, Interstate 95, and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.

For Eastwick, studying stream dynamics is a key component to both determining what type of flood-mitigation strategies will yield the most success and identifying approaches that don’t work. A preliminary modeling effort focused on key problem areas in Eastwick found that for the specific scenarios studied, altering stream-channel geometry and dynamics – a non-structural measure – is not a viable flood-mitigation strategy.

Stroll through the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, visiting some completed restoration projects, and discuss alternative nature-based solutions for resilience planning in this challenging landscape. Learn what can be done to reduce flood risk when there’s no space for restoring large wetland complexes in overdeveloped urban areas.

Sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen, and binoculars are encouraged.