Resources

For the past 25 years, living shorelines have been actively promoted and implemented across North Carolina by researchers, non-profits, practitioners, and stakeholders to safeguard coastal habitats and communities from erosion. 

Research and Development

The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM) and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) have been instrumental in advancing living shoreline strategies. In February 2014, they published the "Living Shoreline Strategy," which outlines actions needed to promote the use of living shorelines in the state. This strategy addresses outreach, public awareness, research, financial incentives, and both short- and long-term implementation actions.

Additionally, the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve (NCNERR) has conducted research to evaluate the impacts of various shoreline stabilization methods on marshes and ecosystem services. In 2012, researchers from NCNERR, NOAA, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill's Institute of Marine Sciences constructed a demonstration project utilizing a living shoreline design to stabilize an eroding estuarine shoreline. Research is being conducted down the coast of North Carolina by researchers, students, governments and non-profits. These research organizations are at the forefront of understanding the environmental, economic, and social benefits of living shorelines in North Carolina. They collaborate on various projects and contribute to the growing body of knowledge about nature-based solutions for coastal erosion, habitat protection, and climate resilience.

• Coastal Studies Institute

• East Carolina University

• University of North Carolina Wilmington - Center for Marine Sciences

• University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Institute of Marine Sciences

• North Carolina State University

• The Nature Conservancy - TNC North Carolina Chapter

• North Carolina Coastal Estuary

• North Carolina Sea Grant

• North Carolina Division of Coastal Management

• North Carolina Coastal Federation 

• North Carolina Marine Fisheries

• U.S Fish and Wildlife Services

• and many others.

Non-Profit Initiatives

The North Carolina Coastal Federation (Federation) has been a key player in promoting and implementing living shorelines. Since 2000, with support from NOAA’s Community-Based Restoration Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, North Carolina Land and Water Fund, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, State Appropriations and many others, the Federation has constructed numerous living shoreline projects and salt marsh plantings, stabilizing over 6.4 miles of shoreline at over 78 large-scale sites across the state. The Federation also has a highly successful living shoreline cost-share program that has been funded for 10 years through the support of North Carolina Land and Water Fund and the General Assembly. Through this program, the cost-share has assisted over 187 property owners install living shorelines stabilizing over 5.1 miles of shoreline. These projects have demonstrated the effectiveness of living shorelines in preventing coastal habitat loss. To learn more visit www.nccoast.org. 

Government and Stakeholder Collaboration

The North Carolina Living Shoreline Steering Committee brings together federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and universities to communicate and collaborate on education and outreach, research, and implementation of living shorelines. This collaborative effort aims to increase the use of living shorelines and address challenges related to shoreline erosion. For more information, checkout their latest Accomplishments Report and list of partners here. 

Recent Developments

In 2019, the North Carolina Coastal Federation successfully worked with the N.C. Division of Coastal Management, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and many other partners to streamline the general permitting process for living shoreline projects, making it easier to build living shorelines of 500 or fewer linear feet. These ongoing efforts highlight a collaborative approach among researchers, non-profits, practitioners, and stakeholders in North Carolina to enhance coastal resilience through the implementation of living shorelines. For more information checkout North Carolina Coastal Federation's website. 

State of North Carolina Living Shoreline Training 

The North Carolina Coastal Federation, North Carolina Sea Grant, The Nature Conservancy, and the North Carolina Coastal Reserve partnered together to create a training course and marine contractor manual for living shoreline construction. Click here to view a pdf of the Living Shoreline Training for Marine Construction Professionals Manual. 

Carteret Community College offers a Living Shoreline Academy for hands-on training for living shoreline construction. The foundation of this course is based on the training manual put together by the North Carolina Coastal Federation, North Carolina Sea Grant, The Nature Conservancy, and the North Carolina Coastal Reserve.