The booming economy of Northwest Arkansas makes a near-perfect laboratory for Marty Matlock to study a host of ecological issues with national implications. "Other areas have to resolve or deal with many of the same issues that we're facing here," he said.

Those issues include urban vs. suburban sprawl; urban vs. rural needs; commercial vs. common property usage; interstate property rights; rapid population growth; depleting resources; and urban planning. "Few areas are facing all of these issues at once," said Matlock. "We have a chance to lead the nation in determining how to handle these pressing problems."

One groundbreaking project that's drawing national attention combines urban stream ecological services restoration with outdoor classrooms, greenway trails and park development. Matlock's ecological engineering group collaborates closely with the University of Arkansas Community Design Center, which is part of the School of Architecture, as well as city and state officials to demonstrate more natural designs for stormwater systems.

"The depth of engagement - from student involvement to community participation - is very novel to ecological engineering," said Matlock, of the holistic approach. "Engineers are often guilty of two-dimensional thinking, with function usually being the most important factor."

By adhering to "explicit design" principles, the ecological engineering team ensures the safety of the public and preservation of property, including flood control, sediment retention and nutrient cycling, while working aesthetics and habitat restoration into the mix.

For example, instead of a straight channel with a hard-surfaced bottom designed to discharge water as quickly as possible, this project restores natural curves with rock structures called riffles into the stream to slow the water down and spread it out over the floodway.

"We worked on optimizing but not maximizing, so there was a process of compromise," said Matlock. "We balanced some functions for aesthetics, but those aesthetics were important to the community. It was truly a collaborative experience for all of us."