The last few decades have seen increasing interest in enhancing, restoring, and protecting the ecology of wetlands, streams, and watersheds. To achieve these goals will require sound fundamental and applied knowledge, close interaction between scientists and engineers, a systems approach, and a good understanding of spatial and temporal scales. Often a better approach, than has been the norm, might be to reduce the amount of initial engineering of the system and to assist nature in developing a more self-sustaining system.

We are very grateful and would like to thank the many experts who graciously offered to participate in this conference. Workshop instructors and keynote speakers included some of our leading international and national experts who have been in the forefront in developing methods to further the development of fully functional and self-sustaining stream, wetland, and watershed systems. We were very excited by the huge response and high caliber of the 70+ oral and poster presentations made during this four day conference.

Background of the Conference

In November 2001, we held the very well received Conference on The Emerging Science of Natural Channel Design. More than 300 people attended this conference and the satisfaction level of the participants was extremely high. Annually, for the past few years the Water Resources Research Institute at North Carolina State University has hosted at least one Fall conference or workshop relating to stream health or floodplain management. Starting in 2003, we will alternate years in which each institution hosts a Fall stream conference.

Conference Goals:

• Explore innovative solutions, for stream and wetland restoration and management, that seek to reestablish and maintain self-sustaining ecosystems.
• Expand our understanding of stream and wetland processes and how knowledge of these processes can be used in water resource protection, design, and management.
• Have experts provide cutting-edge knowledge on theory, methods, and tools that will aid in maintaining or developing self-sustaining high quality stream and wetland systems.
• Enhance the capabilities of professionals engaged in natural channel design.
• Through workshops, provide knowledge and training that will better position participants to protect and enhance water resources.

Who Should Attend:

Professionals engaged in the theory and application of natural channel design, including but not limited to:

• Local, state and federal government agency staff
• Engineers
• Stream and watershed scientists
• Science and engineering students and faculty