Eileen’s presentation highlighted American River’s 50 state floodplain strategy, which includes auditing of IFM enabling conditions (Step 1, complete) and launching state IFM campaigns (Step 2, ongoing) to encourage integrated floodplain management at the state and local level. American Rivers’ strategy has led to a national IFM playbook and learning initiative that provides an online library of state floodplain audit data, playbook of model state floodplain policies, and floodplain leadership initiative (webinars, workshops, etc.).
I presented an overview of River Network’s River Smart Communities program, which offers Colorado communities a framework for integrated watershed planning, a comprehensive approach that leads to on-the-ground projects. The River Smart Communities program includes several resources (Guidebook, Community Companion, Readiness Scorecard). The results of piloting this program in Colorado were a shared vision, broad stakeholder engagement, scientific baseline assessments, and prioritized project recommendations.
Justin discussed The Nature Conservancy’s Nature as Infrastructure initiative in Texas – using nature to solve problems with nature-based solutions. He also shared insights from the Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation in Texas Guidance Manual created by the Texas Water Development Board. The Manual synthesizes research and guidance on the use of nature-based solutions for flood mitigation into a single, statewide manual for Texas communities, providing strategies and tools to address common barriers and challenges. For example, the Manual describes nonstructural nature-based solutions for flood resilience, such as property acquisition and conservation, promoting native vegetation in design criteria, and regulating development in floodplains. Justin closed his presentation with ways local communities can get involved in nature-based solution projects – local land use, infrastructure, and transportation planning as well as state/regional flood, watershed protection, and water management planning.
This session ended with stories of panelists and audience members describing how they are helping communities build integrated approaches or coordinating across sectors to turn nature-based solutions into practical roadmaps. And Lacey encouraged participants to check out the Natural Floodplains Alliance, a national network of over 2,500 other individuals, nonprofits, and agencies dedicated to the protection and preservation of the natural functions of floodplains.
River Network will begin hosting River Smart Communities workshops in Colorado this fall. And American Rivers will release their IFM playbook in late 2026, so stay tuned!
Contact me (bmurphy@rivernetwork.org) for an exploratory conversation about River Smart Communities to imagine what a holistically managed river corridor would look like for your community.
