Following years of urban expansion in Lexington, the South Elkhorn Creek was suffering from “urban stream syndrome”. In combination with more extreme hydrology and poorer water quality, banks had eroded to the point where it had become a safety concern. Those most concerned were residents who were losing their backyards to steep, vertical banks in excess of six feet height. To address increasing issues within the watershed, residents formed Neighbors United for South Elkhorn Creek (NUSEC). Although this group of volunteers were able to recognize the scale of impacts, they didn’t have the capacity to address them fully with sustainable results.