Skip to main content
ULI Northwest Arkansas Place Summit 2025 ULI Northwest Arkansas Place Summit 2025
Register
, Fayetteville, AR November 12-14, 2025

‹ All sessions

From Ideas to Actions: Exploring Nature-Based Solutions

Wed 12 Nov 1:00 PM — 3:00 PM (GMT-06:00) Central Time Fayetteville Town Center, Ozark 3
Type AIA LU AICP CM

This interactive session sets the stage for the River Commons tour by introducing the principles and practice of nature-based solutions (NBS). Participants will gain a grounding in the science, social dynamics, and governance challenges of NBS before engaging in group exercises designed to spark creative thinking around real-world applications. Expert case studies and facilitated discussions will help translate concepts into action, preparing attendees to see the River Commons project with fresh perspective.  

Session highlights:   

· Introduction to NBS concepts, science, and governance challenges  

· Small-group work with practice cases featuring stakeholder issues and budget considerations  

· Case study presentations, including the River Commons and other regional examples  

· Interactive group discussions supported by panelists  

· Large-group sharing and reflections on lessons learned  

 

Approved for LA CES HSW- 3 hours

Speakers

Speaker
Regina Buono

Regina Buono

Environmental Law Institute

Regina M. Buono is a Senior Attorney. Prior to joining ELI in 2023, Regina worked in various positions in water law and governance, including in private law practice and for a legislative agency in Austin, Texas; consulting with an international boutique water strategy firm; and as the Baker Botts Fellow in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs at the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s…
Speaker
Sandi Formica

Sandi Formica

Executive Director Watershed Conservation Resource Center

Sandi J. Formica is the Executive Director and Co-founder of the Watershed Conservation Resource Center, having B.S.& M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas, with an emphasis on contaminants transport in water, soil, and air. She manages the WCRC, an environmental non-profit organization since 2004, and is responsible for project design, technical support, grant development, and implementation of watershed-based projects. She is a regional…
Speaker
Adriana Ramos

Adriana Ramos

Urban Designer Ecological Design Group (EDG)

A native of Chihuahua, Mexico, Adriana moved to Arkansas in the fall of 2019 and joined the EDG team in 2022. In 2014 she obtained a Masters of Urban Design from the Design School at Arizona State University. Adriana obtained the architect degree from the Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua in 2005. Adriana is interested in public space, the natural environment of cities, and in the…
Speaker
Dave Woods

Dave Woods

Ozark Underground Labs

Dave Woods is the Senior Scientist at Ozark Underground Laboratory and Executive Director of the Tumbling Creek Cave Foundation. Dave graduated from Missouri State University with an M.S. in Biology studying fish behavior and toxicology. He spent 13 years as a Fisheries Management Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation where he played a pivotal role in managing game and non-game fish populations across Missouri’s rivers, streams, and…

Three days of innovation, insights, and meaningful connections.


Fayetteville, AR

November 12-14, 2025

Join us in Fayetteville, Arkansas on November 12-14, 2025

Register