Meridian Releases Two New Reports on Riverscape Restoration in the Western US

Meridian staff members Robyn Paulekas, Sara Schmidt, and Maddi Schink (and former Fellow Carly Campana) recently published two reports highlighting opportunities to advance nature-based solutions for riverscape restoration on public lands in the West. Through a series of virtual and in-person meetings, restoration stakeholders identified priorities, including specific activities to support shared learning and research and advance workforce development through education and training.

Meridian interviewed stakeholders to develop a Process-based Riverscape Restoration Education & Training Needs Assessment. Process-based restoration is a relatively new field and there is a need to ensure that projects are done well in order to demonstrate effectiveness and build the case for ongoing support. This assessment summarizes education and training opportunities and gaps across different audiences and topics. It also offers recommendations for how to successfully complete these projects, including necessary skills and knowledge.

Meridian also brought scientists and researchers together with federal agency staff, public utilities, NGOs, and funders to establish priority research questions related to process-based restoration. The resulting Research Agenda for Process-based Riverscape Restoration links priority research topics on the benefits, impacts, and outcomes of restoration with specific audiences who are responsible for funding, approving, and implementing riverscape health projects.

Visit this landing page to learn more about Meridian’s support advancing the pace, scale, and effectiveness of nature-based solutions for riverscape restoration on public lands in the West. This work is funded by the Walton Family Foundation.