The Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) Dallas Chapter was recently recognized with the Outstanding Technical Group/Institute Chapter — Small Award. This honor reflects the dedication and hard work of our members. This article provides an overview of the EWRI Dallas Chapter’s recent activities, initiatives, and goals towards advancing the environmental and water resources engineering profession.
Inspiring the Next Generation Through STEM Outreach – ASCE Statewide Conference
One of the cornerstones of the EWRI Dallas Chapter’s mission is to inspire students and young professionals to pursue careers in environmental and water resources engineering. To bring real-world engineering concepts to the classroom, we participated in a STEM outreach activity organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Dallas Branch at the ASCE Texas Section’s annual 2024 Civil Engineering Conference (CECON) in Frisco, Texas. CECON brings together civil engineers from across the state of Texas, representing all of ASCE’s technical institutes. A Stormwater Floodplain Simulation demonstration model was showcased to Frisco High School students, providing a hands-on learning experience and fostering interest in environmental and water resources engineering.
Strengthening Professional Connections - ASCE Joint Branch Regional Meeting
The EWRI Dallas Chapter maintains strong collaborative relationships with the ASCE Dallas Branch and Fort Worth Branch. A highlight of this partnership is our involvement in organizing EWRI-focused tracks every other year at the annual Dallas and Fort Worth Branch Joint Regional Event. We take an active role in curating technical sessions, identifying expert speakers, and moderating discussions.
This event serves as an important forum for addressing regionally relevant topics such as urban flooding, stormwater management, water supply, environmental sustainability, and ecosystem restoration. By bringing together practitioners, academics, and policymakers, the chapter seeks to facilitate the exchange of cutting-edge research, best practices, and innovative solutions.
Hosting Technical Meetings - ASCE Dallas Branch
The EWRI Dallas Chapter hosts an extended technical meeting each year in collaboration with the ASCE Dallas Branch. This meeting aims to inform members about the latest developments in environmental and water resources engineering, as well as regionally relevant projects and programs. Our meetings have featured presentations by industry experts, academics, and government officials on a broad range of issues.
In April 2024, we hosted speakers from the North Central Texas Council of Governments to highlight regional programs related to water resources and the environment. In February 2025, we invited professors and researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Civil Engineering Department to present their research. These interactions have helped attendees stay informed about regional initiatives, research breakthroughs, and emerging trends, while also providing excellent professional networking opportunities.
University Outreach and Industry-Academia Collaboration
One of our key goals is to serve as a bridge that strengthens collaboration between industry and academia. To that end, we hope to support and engage students and faculty at prominent local universities, including Southern Methodist University (SMU) and the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) through campus visits, panel discussions, and mentorship programs. These activities are designed to promote student professional development, provide networking opportunities, and create a feedback loop between industry needs and academic curricula. We believe that such outreach is essential to safeguarding the future of our profession. By connecting students with practicing engineers and exposing them to real-world challenges, we hope to help build a workforce better equipped to meet the evolving needs of environmental and water resources engineering.
Establishing a Strong Organizational Foundation – Chapter Bylaws
Effective governance is essential for any organization. In the past, the chapter operated on an ad-hoc basis without an official set of bylaws. As our fledgling group has grown in recent years, the need to formalize governing rules has become increasingly apparent. Clear rules of procedure are essential for defining leadership roles, responsibilities, and operational practices. Accordingly, we have begun crafting bylaws and hope to adopt them formally in the coming months. These bylaws will provide a transparent operational framework that supports continuity, smooth leadership transitions, and alignment with EWRI’s mission and values.
Looking Forward: Building on Success and Expanding Impact
The EWRI Dallas Chapter is excited about the future and committed to expanding its role in serving the local environmental and water resources engineering community. Upcoming initiatives include hosting workshops and training sessions on emerging technologies, launching mentorship programs for young professionals, and increasing engagement with local municipalities and agencies to support resilience and sustainability projects.
We believe that through continued outreach, education, and professional collaboration, our chapter can play a vital role in addressing the complex challenges facing our region and beyond. The Outstanding Technical Group/Institute Chapter - Small Award inspires us to uphold even higher standards of service and deepen our commitment to the community.
Connect with the EWRI Dallas Chapter
We invite local engineers, students, and professionals interested in environmental and water resources engineering to join us in advancing our mission. For more information on upcoming events, volunteering opportunities, or to get involved, please visit the EWRI Dallas Chapter LinkedIn page or contact our chapter leadership.