The streambank erosion field tour will cover the major drivers of streambank erosion in our region, best management practices that reduce pollution associated with erosion, and the role vegetation along the bank plays. We hope attendees leave with an understanding that our rivers are living systems that need space to expand and contract as well as ideas about projects (timeline and funding) for restoration that can help us to allow them to do so.
8:00 AM Breakfast
8:15 AM Presentations Begin
John Chapman, Owner of Flowstate Mapping: How do stream systems work? What is the river trying to do?
John Pennington, University of Arkansas: The function and ecological value of riparian vegetation. What are the ecological outcomes of widespread streambank erosion? How does erosion impact water quality?
Travis Chaney, IRWP: Land use and the effects downstream. How is erosion impacting water quality, flooding, and infrastructure? What is the economic cost of widespread streambank erosion?
Sandi Formica, Watershed Conservation Research Center: Potential funding mechanisms, timelines, project prioritization, and cost-benefit analysis to determine when streambank restoration projects are worthwhile. Sandi will also lead the restored site field tour portion.
NOON Lunch
12:30 PM Load Busses to tour sites on Osage Creek
3:00 PM Return to Learning Center and Dismiss