Resource Institute restores streams, rivers, and wetlands to improve water quality, reduce flood risks, and strengthen rural and working lands. We partner with local governments, nonprofits, and landowners to deliver practical, community-based solutions that work.
Discover how restoration supports communities and working lands
WHAT DOES RESOURCE INSTITUTE DO?
Resource Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps communities restore streams, rivers, and wetlands. Our projects improve water quality, reduce flooding, and support working lands. We serve as a trusted partner and funding guide, connecting local governments, nonprofits, and landowners with the resources they need to plan, fund, and complete on-the-ground restoration work. From strategy to implementation, we help projects move forward, on time and on budget.
LEARN MORE
View our statistics and annual reports
Resource Institute doesn't just talk about....we are about it, and we are transparent about it as well.
RESOURCE INSTITUTE PROJECTS
Resource Institute works with local partners to deliver stream, river, and wetland restoration projects that improve water quality, reduce flood risk, and support productive land use. Every project is different, but each one delivers real results for people and the land on which they depend.
Click below to explore our work and its impact across the region.
Crab Creek Stream Restoration Project
Crab Creek French Broad WatershedHenderson County, Hendersonville, NCStatus: Completed 2023 Stream Restored: ~1,100 feetPlanting Stats: 2,180 live stakes and 390 trees Carbon Sequestration - 20.1 tons in 10 yearsSediment Reduction - 125 tons Resource Institute’s...
Line Creek Stream Restoration Project
Line Creek French Broad Watershed, Mills RiverHenderson County, Hendersonville, NCStatus: Completed 2023 Stream Restored: ~1,050 feetPlanting Stats: 2,000 live stakes and 290 trees Carbon Sequestration - 17 tons in 10 yearsSediment Reduction - 88 tons Resource...
Boyston Creek Stream Restoration Project
Boyston Creek French Broad Watershed, Mills RiverHenderson County, Hendersonville, NCStatus: Completed 2023 Stream Restored: ~3,650 feetPlanting Stats: 7,240 (live stakes), 1,256 (trees)Carbon Sequestration: 32.1 tonsSediment Reduction: 220 tons Resource...
Lewis Creek Stream Restoration Project
Lewis Creek French Broad WatershedHenderson County, Hendersonville, NCStatus: Completed 2023 Stream Restored: ~3,020 feetPlanting Stats: 3,900 lives takes & 2,600 trees Carbon Sequestration - 85.1 tons (over 10 years)Sediment Reduction: 180 tons Resource Institute’s...
Nantahala River & Black Creek Stream Restoration Project
Nantahala River & Black Creek Little Tennessee WatershedMacon County, Hendersonville, NCStatus: Completed 2023 Stream Restored: ~2,843 feetPlanting Stats: 5,639 live stakes, 979 treesCarbon Sequestration 50.3 tons Soil Erosion Reduction 180 tons Resource Institute’s...
Webb Creek Stream Restoration Project
Webb Creek Webbs Creek Broad River WatershedRutherford County, Lake Lure, NCStatus: CompleteStream Restored: ~1,125 feetPlanting Stats: 2,228 livestakes & 386 treesCarbon Sequestration: 20.5 tonsSediment Reduction: 340 tons Resource Institute’s Partners:...
Unnamed Tributary Ararat River Stream Restoration Project
UT Ararat RiverArarat River WatershedDobson, Surry, NCStatus: CompleteStream Restored: ~709Planting Stats: 1,406 livestakes & 244 treesCarbon Sequestration: 13 tonsSediment Reduction: 13.8 tons Resource Institute’s Partners: USDA-NRCS North Carolina Land & Water...
WORK WITH US
EDUCATION
Resource Institute offers hands-on workshops, short courses, and conferences for stream and wetland restoration professionals. Our trainings are practical, field-tested, and open to all experience levels—from novice to advanced.
In collaboration with universities, researchers, and leading practitioners, we cover topics such as river morphology, stream surveying, biology, classification, delineation, and data interpretation.
We also host the National Stream Restoration Conference, a premier annual gathering for practitioners, scientists, and agency leaders nationwide.
Continuing education units (CEUs) or professional credit are available for most courses.
LEARN MORE ABOUT EDUCATION
DISASTER RECOVERY
LEARN MORE
HOW RI IS HELPING THOSE AFFECTED BY DISASTERS
When natural disasters strike, like Hurricane Helene in 2024, Resource Institute helps communities recover and rebuild stronger. We connect local leaders with funding, technical support, and field-proven strategies to reduce flood risks and restore damaged areas. We also maintain a vetted list of recovery resources to support revitalization and implementation after major storm events.