Dr. Todd Bridges is a Professor of Practice in resilient and sustainable systems in the College of Engineering at the University of Georgia. Prior to joining UGA in 2023, Bridges served for 17 years as the U.S. Army’s Senior Research Scientist (ST) for Environmental Science, one of 40 Senior Research Scientists in the Department of the Army. Over his 30-year career with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bridges led >$250 million in research projects and programs in environmental science and engineering and sustainable infrastructure.

Bridges founded the Corps’ Engineering with Nature® program in 2010, which includes a broad range of research, field-scale applications, multi-sector collaborations, and communication efforts to advance the development and application of Nature-based Solutions. Among his 100 publications, Bridges led a 5-year collaboration across the public and private sectors to develop and publish International Guidelines on Natural and Nature-Based Features for Flood Risk Management. Dr. Bridges received a Distinguished Presidential Rank Award from President Biden in 2021 for exceptional leadership, accomplishments, and service.

Episode Notes

Engineering with Nature

Todd Bridges reflects on his extensive career with the US Army Corps of Engineers, where he initiated the ‘Engineering with Nature’ program. This initiative seeks to align natural and engineering processes to deliver economic, environmental, and social benefits. The discussion explores the history and current efforts in sustainable engineering, including significant projects like the Yolo Bypass in California. Todd emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, nature-based solutions, and the promising future of young professionals in addressing climate change and ecosystem restoration.

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:53 Engineering with Nature: Concept and Collaboration

02:52 Shared Goals and Perspectives on Nature

04:51 Historical Engineering and Environmental Impact

08:11 Yolo Bypass: A Case Study

14:34 Modern Conservation Efforts and Challenges

25:07 Educational Initiatives and Future Prospects

28:58 Optimism for the Future

Extra Credit

Read: Check out Todd’s interview at Biohabitats for more in-depth look at nature-based solutions to shoreline protection.

Listen: Engineering with Nature Podcast

Geek out: Engineering with Nature: An Atlas

“Combining natural systems with infrastructure can seem a bit esoteric to those unfamiliar with these ideas. The Atlas helps people —not just practitioners, but members of the public­—understand what these projects look like.  The ability to look at these projects and understand, through descriptions, how they operate makes them much more tangible and accessible.” Todd Bridges

Further: Why Lead With A Nature-Based Approach? by Keith Bowers



Dr. Todd Bridges is a Professor of Practice in resilient and sustainable systems in the College of Engineering at the University of Georgia. Prior to joining UGA in 2023, Bridges served for 17 years as the U.S. Army’s Senior Research Scientist (ST) for Environmental Science, one of 40 Senior Research Scientists in the Department of the Army. Over his 30-year career with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bridges led >$250 million in research projects and programs in environmental sci...