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Living Shorelines and Coastal Resilience
Shoreline projects stabilize our shorelines and increase resilience through a variety of approaches including marsh creation, dune creation, oyster reef balls, and traditional stone sill structures. To the extent possible, stone rip-rap walls and wooden bulkheads should be replaced with a natural “living shoreline”. These projects are a natural alternative to fully armoring a shoreline. They provide shoreline stabilization and erosion control by strategically placing stones to work with wave energy on the rivers and creeks.
Living shorelines provide vital habitat for animals, such as terrapins and horseshoe crabs that spend critical phases of their lives at the water’s edge. These living shorelines are stabilized with native shrubs and grasses and also provide important nesting and feeding areas for shorebirds and other wildlife. There are now a number of grant and low interest loan sources available to property owners and community associations looking to install living shorelines. If you are interested in pursuing a living shoreline for community property, please contact us!