The Art and Science of Urban Stream Ecosystem Restoration with Kenneth Belt, Engr '91 (MEE), Engr '94 (PhD)

The Art and Science of Urban Stream Ecosystem Restoration with Kenneth Belt, Engr '91 (MEE), Engr '94 (PhD) Header Image

Lifelong Learning LogoCourse Title: The Art and Science of Urban Stream Ecosystem Restoration

Instructor: Kenneth Belt, Engr '91 (MEE), Engr '94 (PhD)

Brought to you by Odyssey  

October 22, 2025 -November 26, 2025 (6 Sessions) 

Wednesday,  6:00PM ET - 7:30PM ET 

Virtual via Zoom

 

Course Description: This course examines urban stream restoration using a broad view that spans historical, eco-engineering and cultural. Some technical aspects will be briefly covered, but the focus will be on bringing diverse life back, as well as the nature-based benefits to people. We’ll talk about the state of the engineering-based watershed & stream restoration and more socio-ecologically based methods and goals. We will see that the implications of such a transformation are potentially great. It is plausible that urban streams can achieve a more natural state, with a family of novel but functioning, valued ecosystems.

We’ll spend significant time on the needs and roles of organisms and their communities (microbes, insects, fish, plants/algae, etc.) in establishing biodiverse and functional ecosystems. We’ll see that biota need cleaner, less flashy streams and that they also contribute to cleaner, more functional streams.

These concepts will be placed within a contemporary urban context by imagining a more enlightened approach to engineering-based stream restoration. Novel, creative approaches to an ecologically based engineering are feasible. New thinking and collaboration along these lines could bring about transformative benefits for both urban waters and residents.

Coverage will be global at times, but we’ll often focus on local (Baltimore) stream systems to illustrate concepts. Art, essays, photography and videos will be used to provide a foundation for this. Presentations will be designed for the broad community but will be based on science. Readings from the literature will be provided, should folks want to go further in their learning. Optional field visits may be available, if there is interest by local folks. These materials, as well as, recorded lectures and slides, will be made available on the web.

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Johns Hopkins Tuition Remission Policies  

Johns Hopkins alumni, fulltime staff, faculty and their spouse or domestic partners are eligible for tuition remission for Odyssey lifelong learning courses. Select the correct ticket pricing during registration. If we cannot confirm your eligibility, you will be requested to pay the full registration price for the course.  Eligibility details can be found here. 

Withdrawals & Refunds: 

If a course is canceled or closed, the registrant is notified immediately, and a full refund is processed automatically unless another course is requested. Registrants who wish to withdraw from an active course must complete the online Odyssey Refund Request Form. Attach any documentation to support your request (e.g., medical documentation, family crisis documentation, etc.). 

100% refund- Prior to the start of the course. 

50% refund- During the first week of the course. 

No refunds will be given after the first week of each course unless in exceptional cases. 

Please note, refunds apply only to the tuition portion of an Odyssey participant’s charges and are not applicable to any fees or gifts made to the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association. Registrants will be notified by email if a refund is approved within (5) business days. 

ABOUT Ken Belt

Dr. Ken Belt is an aquatic ecologist, ecohydrologist, civil engineer and photographer. He is retired, after 40 years with Baltimore City DPW and the USDA Forest Service/Baltimore Ecosystem Study and still building on his ecological and engineering knowledge. In recent years he has enjoyed teaching at UMBC and at the Natural History Society of Maryland, where he is a volunteer curator specializing in stream ecology and aquatic insects.

Presently He is writing about the “urban watershed continuum,” which takes a holistic perspective that includes the ecology of streams, engineered infrastructure and their human communities. Also, he is interested in using “community science”, photography and other arts to connect people to their ecosystems and in how scientists study them.

 Event Date
Starts:
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
6:00pm EDT

Ends:
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
7:30pm EDT

 Contact
Odyssey
1-800-JHU-JHU1 (548-5481)
odyssey@jhu.edu

50% discount. Alumni status will be verified.
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