While constructed infrastructure—like dams, levees, seawalls, and breakwaters—will always play an important role, these approaches alone are no longer sufficient for a world where flood and storm events are becoming more frequent, extreme and costly. Plus, when flood control facilities fail – and they do – they fail big, often leading to catastrophic damages. Instead of working against nature, we must look to it as an essential partner in building resiliency for our communities and economies.

Just one acre of wetlands can hold about 1 million gallons of water—more than an Olympic-size swimming pool—reducing impacts on communities during floods. And for every $1 spent on restoring wetlands, more than $7 in direct flood-reduction benefit is achieved.