Natural Floodplains Alliance

The Natural Floodplains Alliance envisions a nation where resilient communities recognize and value natural floodplains as essential assets. We elevate understanding of the value of these essential ecosystems — and equip decision-makers with the information needed to champion nature-based floodplain management.

The flat lands next to a river that regularly flood are among the most biodiverse and productive on the planet. But that’s not all. Natural floodplains also reduce downstream flooding, filter excessive nutrients, and replenish groundwater.

With 90 percent of floodplains either degraded or developed — and storms growing stronger and more frequent — now is the time to preserve what remains and restore what has been disconnected.

We can lower flood risk for farms and neighborhoods, rehabilitate habitat for sensitive wetland wildlife, and provide clean water for recreation and communities’ health with an approach that prioritizes collaboration and natural solutions. The benefits are lasting: Every $1 spent on flood solutions saves $13 in flood damages.

Join the Natural Floodplains Alliance and access free resources to take your natural floodplain practice to the next level.

The Natural Floodplains Alliance (formerly the Natural Floodplain Functions Alliance) was established to promote, protect, and enhance the protection, restoration, and management of natural floodplain resources. 

Network

Connect with 3,000 nonprofits, organizations, agencies, and individuals committed to safeguarding and restoring floodplains and wetlands. Floodplain experts and practitioners in the Natural Floodplains Alliance share knowledge, resources, and innovative solutions. Join and get special access to LinkedIn group.
Learn

Participate in quarterly webinars with the country’s top scientists and technical floodplains experts. Past webinar topics have included sneak peeks into new research, trainings on how to center underserved communities in floodplain management decisions, and how to apply integrated floodplain management approaches. Register for an upcoming webinar.
Get Resources

Joining is free and gives you access to a monthly newsletter and resources you need to adopt an integrated floodplain management approach that reduces flood risk and restores floodplains. You’ll also receive training opportunities, new research, and digital tools and resources.

Upcoming Webinars

National Floodplain Restoration Inventory
August 26, 2026
3:00-4:00 pm EST

Join the Natural Floodplains Alliance to learn about the National Floodplain Restoration Inventory, a compilation of state-and national-scale databases documenting past floodplain restoration activities created in partnership by Conservation Science Partners and American Rivers. This updatable inventory is the first of its kind and aims to centralize information on floodplain restoration projects across the United States so that practitioners and policy experts can better inform improved project evaluation, planning, and policy development. This webinar will showcase the new inventory and allow attendees an opportunity to provide feedback on this evolving dataset. Speakers: Lise Comte, Conservation Science Partners and Eileen Shader, American Rivers

**CFM participants will receive 1 CEC credit from ASFPM for attending this webinar.

Watch Past Webinars