Advancing Living Shorelines along the Gulf Coast

Traditional hard erosion-control structures such as sea walls and bulkheads can increase erosion, damage habitat, and set the stage for expensive repairs in the future. Living shorelines, which incorporate natural structures and systems, are better for the beach and can be more effective and affordable.

The Weeks Bay and Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserves and their partners provide the science-based information needed to encourage living shoreline projects. Highlights from the partnership include the creation of a living shorelines user group website to share information with end users and property owners, the “Regional Living Shorelines Construction Technical Bulletins for Contractors” project, and a living shorelines workshop that has reached more than 80 participants. (2016)

More information: www.nerra.org/how-we-work/coastal-training-for-smart-decisions/advancing-living-shorelines-along-the-gulf-coast

Partners: Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, NOAA Office for Coastal Management, Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve