Workshop 3

About the Workshop

On September 14, 2022 the Nature-Based Exchange held its third workshop at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, SC. Workshop 3 was focused on planning for natural and nature-based solutions and was designed to provided time for education and brainstorming. To do this, the workshop was broken into three parts: why, how, and what. The plenary presentation described why we nature-based solutions should be incorporated into plans. The panel discussion explained how the planning process works and what challenges and opportunities exist for integrating these solutions into existing plans. The breakout session was designed to gather information on what specific actions can be taken to advance the incorporation of nature-based solutions into plans. Many thanks to Black & Veatch for their help planning this workshop and for facilitating the panel discussion. Additional thanks to Biohabitats, Inc. for sponsoring the venue.

Agenda

Speakers

Continuing Education Credit Information

Compendium

Key Takeaways:

• When designing with nature, the design approach must start with nature at its base. This means paying attention to the soil, water, and biodiversity in the area and building the design around the existing natural elements.

• Designing with nature can require a change in perspective and a break from tradition. We cannot continue solely treating water as a problem; rather, we need to learn to live with, and work with, water.

• Nature-based planning often begins with a sketch which can inspire a generation of infrastructural work.

• Effective nature-based design must:

  • work in coordination with civil infrastructure

  • work across scales

  • incorporate math and science from the beginning

  • understand the existing landscape and community needs

  • look beyond engineering solutions and consider non-traditional planning and adaptive solutions.

• Nature-based solutions are currently not a priority explicitly stated in many plans, but that is starting to change.

• Repeated education and outreach are needed for managers, planners, elected officials, and the public to learn, accept, and expect nature-based solutions.

• The historical challenges to implementing nature-based solutions may be widespread but so are the opportunities for partnerships and knowledge-sharing. Improving communication and coordination among departments and municipalities, higher education, and business could overcome many of these challenges.

• Big picture thinking is needed to shift thinking, plan, and implement nature-based solutions. This means we cannot focus only on the here and now, but we also need to consider large spatial scales and long timeframes.

• Plans need to create guidelines, provide options and recommendations, and establish expectations to increase the use of nature-based solutions.

Resources:

• SC Hazard Mitigation Plan

• City of Columbia Capital Improvement Plan

• Beaufort County Green Print Plan and Comprehensive Plan

• SC Office of Resilience Plan website

Workshop Materials for Breakout Groups

Handout

Comprehensive Plans Worksheet

Hazard Mitigation Plans Worksheet

Stormwater Plans Worksheet

Presentations