Watershed Regeneration: Principles & Practice

A 2-Day Intensive Classroom Course by the Appalachian Watershed Alliance

Join Alan Booker on a three-day journey into a whole-systems approach to regenerating watersheds, repairing local hydrological cycles, and breaking the drought-fire-flood cycle. Learn how healthy watersheds help restore local ecosystems while creating higher standards of living and supporting thriving local economies.

What You'll Learn:

Fundamental principles of hydrology and watershed dynamics
Ecological functions of waterways, streams, and water bodies
Natural channel dynamics and fluvial geomorphology
Groundwater management and aquifer recharge techniques
Advanced stormwater management strategies
Design considerations for culverts, bridges, and riparian zones
Stream daylighting and dam removal approaches
Methods for repairing and restoring riparian habitat

This course is ideal for environmental professionals, land managers, conservation specialists, community organizers, and anyone passionate about watershed health and ecological restoration in the Appalachian region.

Led by expert instructors from the Appalachian Watershed Alliance including Alan Booker, founder of the Institute of Integrated Regenerative Design, this course provides practical knowledge to address watershed challenges in our bioregion, particularly in response to extreme weather events like Hurricane Helene.

Watershed Regeneration: Field Immersion

A Full-Day Experiential Learning Journey Through Asheville's Watershed

Put theory into practice with this field day exploring Asheville's local watershed systems. This immersive experience takes you from headwaters to drainage, offering practical skills in watershed assessment and regeneration.

What You'll Experience:

Complete watershed tour with expert guidance
Stream geometry measurement techniques
Identification of functional features in streams and rivers
Analysis of infrastructure impacts on watershed health
Environmental surveying for species diversity
Water quality monitoring using chemical and biological methods
Identification of opportunities for regenerative interventions

This field day is designed as a complement to our classroom course but can also be attended as a standalone learning experience. Bring appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear as we'll be getting up close with Asheville's watershed systems!

Perfect for those who learn best by doing, this field day transforms theoretical knowledge into practical skills you can apply in your own watershed communities.

Day One

Time	Event
8:00 a.m.	Course Welcome and Introductions
8:15 a.m.	WR01: Introduction to Hydrology and Watersheds
9:45 a.m.	Break
10:15 a.m.	WR02: The Ecological Functions of Waterways and Water Bodies
11:45 a.m.	Break
12:00 p.m.	Lunch
1:00 p.m.	WR03: Fluvial Geomorphology and Natural Channel Dynamics
2:30 p.m.	Break
3:00 p.m.	WR04: Recharge of Aquifers and Groundwater Management
4:30 p.m.	Break
5:00 p.m.	Group Activity
6:00 p.m.	Break
6:15 p.m.	Dinner
7:15 p.m.	WR10: GIS and Watershed Modeling
8:45 p.m.	Dismiss

Day Two

Time	Event
8:00 a.m.	Morning Welcome
8:15 a.m.	WR05: Design for Stormwater Management
9:45 a.m.	Break
10:15 a.m.	WR06: Design of Culverts, Bridges, Riparian Zones, and Floodplains
11:45 a.m.	Break
12:00 p.m.	Lunch
1:00 p.m.	WR07: Daylighting Streams and Dam Removal
2:30 p.m.	Break
3:00 p.m.	WR08: Repair of Riparian Habitat
4:30 p.m.	Break
5:00 p.m.	Group Activity
5:30 p.m.	Dismiss

Day Three

Time	Event
8:00 a.m.	Morning Welcome and Load Bus
8:15 a.m.	WR09: Watershed Regeneration Field Day – Morning Session
12:15 p.m.	Lunch
1:15 p.m.	WR09 continued – Afternoon Session
5:00 p.m.	Return to starting location, unload bus, dismiss

Contact the host of Advanced Watershed Regeneration with Alan Booker