River function has been greatly compromised throughout New England as the result of a legacy of log drives and other activities that led to widespread channelization in the 20th century and earlier. Channelization included artificial straightening and the removal of logs and boulders that has degraded geomorphic and habitat function. River restoration projects using large wood can be used in multiple ways to restore habitat complexity, provide structure in the channel to accelerate the reformation of meanders and other natural features, and stabilize eroding banks. Along steep mountain channels where no infrastructure concerns are present, the "chop and drop" technique can be used to directionally fell trees into the channel where subsequent floods can reorganize the wood into log jams and steps that create deep pools, store sediment, and improve floodplain connectivity. Such upper watershed projects do not only improve habitat locally but can also attenuate flood peaks and sediment loading downstream. Along valley-bottom systems, marginal log jams can be constructed along straightened channels to encourage the reformation of meanders and divert flow away from eroding banks while single logs can be used to scour pools, trap gravel useful for spawning, and improve flow complexity. In valley-bottom settings where wood movement could potentially threaten infrastructure, wood can be anchored by driving logs into the bed and banks without the use of boulders or steel cables to ensure the constructed log structures appear natural even in sandy environments. While trees falling into stream channels can often exacerbate flooding and erosion problems during storm events, large wood can actually be used in restoration projects to reduce threats to human infrastructure while simultaneously improving geomorphic and habitat function degraded by historic channelization.

Dr. John Field, President of Field Geology Services, LLC, received a Ph.D. in 1994 from the University of Arizona with concentrations in fluvial geomorphology and hydrology. During eight years as a university professor, Dr. Field received two excellence in teaching awards and was active in training teachers and government agency personnel on techniques for identifying flood and erosion hazards and assessing the stability and habitat conditions of rivers. Dr. Field has over 20 years of professional experience related to river restoration and has designed and installed numerous projects throughout New England utilizing large wood to improve river function and aquatic habitat. As an award-winning teacher, Dr. Field is able to present and explain complex concepts in a clear and concise manner.