Living Shorelines: Building Resilience with Nature

The podcast "Nature is the Solution," featuring Chris McGuire, Jay Feinstein, Julia Neisel, Emma Gildescame, Dan Goulart, and Deanna Moran, explores the critical role of living shorelines in addressing climate change challenges along the Massachusetts coast. Highlighting the dynamic nature of shorelines and the threats posed by rising sea levels and storms, the discussion emphasizes the importance of nature-based solutions over hard infrastructure. Living shorelines, created with natural materials, offer ecological and economic benefits by protecting habitats and communities while maintaining coastal resilience. The episode underscores the urgency of investing in sustainable coastal management to safeguard biodiversity and community well-being.

• Living shorelines are a focus of the Nature Conservancy's efforts to address climate challenges.
• The podcast episode aims to illustrate what a healthy shoreline looks like and why it matters.
• Shorelines are dynamic, transitional zones between land and ocean, essential for both human infrastructure and natural ecosystems.

"Today, though, we're focused on living shorelines like these."

• Highlights the primary focus of the episode on living shorelines as a solution to climate challenges.

"The shore is a dynamic place, always shifting and moving. It's a transition zone. It's supposed to be that way."

• Emphasizes the natural and dynamic nature of shorelines, which are meant to be in constant flux.

• Shorelines are crucial meeting points between human communities, infrastructure, and nature.
• They play a significant role in shaping the safety, resilience, and future of coastal inhabitants.
• The health of shorelines impacts both wildlife and human activities, such as tourism and local economies.

"That's exactly why shorelines matter so much. They're the meeting point between our communities, our infrastructure, and the natural world."

• Underlines the critical role shorelines play in connecting human and natural environments.

"There's a $3 billion coastal tourism economy on Cape Cod alone."

• Illustrates the economic importance of shorelines, particularly in tourism-heavy regions like Cape Cod.

• Individuals involved in coastal management often have personal ties and experiences with the coast.
• Personal stories and experiences can foster a deeper understanding and commitment to coastal conservation.

"I was fortunate to grow up pretty close to the coast, and I have a lot of memories of being a little kid standing in the water knee deep with a little net and a bucket."

• Reflects a personal connection to the coast, highlighting early experiences that can influence future conservation efforts.

"I always think of the ocean as. There's, like, a question that needs to be answered."

• Suggests a sense of curiosity and wonder about the ocean, driving interest and engagement in coastal issues.

• Rising sea levels and coastal flood risks require diverse solutions to protect shorelines.
• Living shorelines are one approach to enhancing coastal resilience and adapting to environmental changes.

"We talked about why resilient coastlines are so important, what's at risk, and the steps we can take to safeguard these places for the future."

• Discusses the importance of resilient coastlines and the need for proactive measures to protect them.

"We have to have a lot of different solutions to rising seas and coastal flood risk."

• Acknowledges the complexity of coastal issues and the necessity for multiple strategies to address them.

• The ocean is often seen as a mysterious and magical place, full of unknowns and surprises.
• This sense of mystery can inspire interest and dedication to understanding and preserving marine environments.

"You cast your line out there and you never know what's going to happen. Could be nothing, could be something exciting."

• Captures the unpredictability and excitement associated with the ocean, which can motivate conservation efforts.

"As soon as you look underneath, it's really different. The habitats are different, the species are different."

• Highlights the diversity and complexity of marine ecosystems, emphasizing the need for their protection and study.

• Shorelines are crucial for both human communities and natural ecosystems, but they are undergoing significant changes due to environmental factors.
• Example: The coastal road Surf Drive in Falmouth, Massachusetts, experiences frequent flooding and sand displacement due to storms, illustrating the unsustainable nature of current infrastructure in the face of changing shorelines.

"Tourists flock there, and about two or three times a year, the ocean swallows it up. All of the sand on the beach gets washed into nor' easter onto the road."

• This quote highlights the frequency and impact of natural events on infrastructure, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions.

• The dynamic nature of coastlines has become more apparent with rising sea levels and increased storm activity, turning what was once a rare occurrence into a regular problem.

"The coast has always been an incredibly dynamic environment, and for most of people's lives, it's been relatively stable."

• This statement underscores the historical stability of coastlines and the recent shift towards more frequent disruptions.

• Coastal squeeze refers to the phenomenon where human development encroaches on coastal areas, exacerbating the effects of natural changes like sea level rise and storms.
• Infrastructure such as roads and power lines, built close to the water, is increasingly at risk due to erosion and other environmental changes.

"Over time, we've slowly built closer and closer to the water's edge...What we're seeing all over New England essentially isn't sustainable anymore."

• This quote explains how historical development practices contribute to current sustainability challenges.

• Ignoring these changes has significant economic, ecological, and social repercussions, including the loss of productive habitats critical for various species.

"In addition to being this boundary between the ocean and the land, the coast is an incredibly productive habitat."

• The ecological importance of coastal areas is highlighted, stressing the broader impact of environmental changes on biodiversity.

• Living shorelines are proposed as a solution to the problems caused by changing shorelines. They are engineered to mimic natural shorelines, providing flexibility and resilience against erosion and sea level rise.
• These shorelines use natural materials to create a buffer zone that protects both human and wildlife habitats without severing the land-water connection.

"Living shorelines are generally introduced where you have erosion in place...they're going to be able to flex and move and even migrate landward as the sea continues to move forward."

• This quote describes the adaptive nature of living shorelines, which are designed to cope with ongoing environmental changes.

• Although man-made, living shorelines utilize existing natural materials to enhance protection and sustainability.

"They're man made, but they're man made with natural materials. So when we go in and we look at a beach to build a living shoreline, we tend to only use the materials that are currently in place."

• The use of natural materials in living shorelines is emphasized, illustrating the blend of engineering and ecological principles in these solutions.

• The area discussed has homes built as early as 1800, with significant development between 1875 and 1915.
• Over the past century, sea level rise has been approximately one foot, impacting the proximity of homes to the water.
• Historical records and physical evidence, such as salt marsh cores, provide visible proof of sea level changes.

"This house was the first house along this stretch that was built. It was actually built in 1800. Most of the other homes along here were built between 1875 and 1915, roughly."

• This quote highlights the historical timeline of development in the area, emphasizing the long-standing presence of these homes.

"Over the last century, we've seen roughly a foot of sea level rise."

• This statement underscores the measurable impact of sea level rise over a century, affecting coastal properties.

• Erosion at Collins Cove necessitated the creation of a buffer to protect against flooding and further erosion.
• The area previously suffered from unsightly erosion, with chunks of asphalt and leftover gravel from a railroad bed.
• The introduction of sand and native plants helped stabilize the shoreline and create a buffer zone.

"The beach prior to this project looked horrible. It had chunks of asphalt from the multi use path that was getting eroded out."

• This quote describes the poor condition of the beach before intervention, illustrating the need for restoration.

"Without a buffer, these homes were at risk of severe flooding."

• This highlights the critical role of buffers in protecting residential areas from flooding.

• Sand was brought in to create a foundation for new growth, followed by planting native species like black grass, seaside goldenrod, and sea lavender.
• These plants help slow wave forces, reduce stormwater flooding, and provide habitat for wildlife.
• The project also aimed to prevent invasive species, such as phragmites, from establishing in the area.

"Species like black grass, seaside goldenrod, and sea lavender. The marsh plants slow the force of waves during nor', easters."

• This quote emphasizes the selection of specific native plants for their ecological benefits in shoreline stabilization.

"We didn't want that stand of phragmites over at that other part of the COVID to seed in this area before all of the native grasses got established."

• This highlights the proactive measures taken to prevent invasive species from disrupting the restoration efforts.

• The living shoreline project has become a community space for recreation, with people enjoying walking, biking, and possibly kayaking.
• Involvement of local residents, including children, in planting and maintaining the area fosters community engagement.
• The project has aesthetic benefits, enhancing the neighborhood's beauty and providing educational opportunities.

"An area that's going to last and be protected because of the living shoreline. There were dog walkers, bikers and families."

• This illustrates the project's success in creating a sustainable and enjoyable community space.

"He loved it. He came down and sat on the sand, dug holes with his little trowel and stuck in the little plugs."

• This quote reflects the positive community involvement in the project, particularly among younger generations.

• Living shorelines offer an alternative to hard barriers like seawalls, which provide only temporary protection and are costly.
• They offer multiple benefits, including flood protection, habitat maintenance, and recreational and economic value.
• States recognize living shorelines as a sustainable way to protect shorelines while preserving natural habitats and aesthetics.

"Seawalls in general, they really only bring one benefit, which is temporary protection."

• This underscores the limitations of traditional hard barriers in coastal protection.

"Living shorelines come with a whole host of secondary, but also sort of primary benefit of protecting from flood and coastal erosion."

• This highlights the multifaceted advantages of living shorelines, beyond mere protection from natural elements.

• Coastal resilience involves using nature-based solutions to protect shorelines and communities from climate change impacts.
• Living shorelines are preferred over hard infrastructure due to cost efficiency and long-term benefits.
• Massachusetts is prioritizing coastal resilience through initiatives like the Resilient Coast Initiative.

"We have an enormous amount of coastal risk in Massachusetts all up and down our coastline. And at the state, we're really looking for ways to be cost efficient and effective at achieving coastal resilience statewide."

• The state is actively seeking cost-effective methods for enhancing coastal resilience, emphasizing nature-based projects.

• Climate change poses significant economic threats, including storm damage, habitat loss, and flooding, which can lower property values and disrupt businesses.
• Nature-based solutions offer substantial cost savings and have proven effective in past events like Superstorm Sandy.

"The economic impact here is significant and far reaching. Storm damage, habitat loss, and flooding can cost communities millions of dollars, disrupt local businesses, and even lower property values along the coast."

• The financial implications of climate change are extensive, affecting various aspects of community and business life.

• Massachusetts aims to achieve biodiversity goals by 2050, integrating coastal resilience as a critical component.
• Enhancing the resilience of both built and natural environments is essential for managing future storms and flooding.

"There are 70 coastal communities in Massachusetts on the front lines facing some of the most severe impacts of climate change. That's why coastal resilience is a key part of the Commonwealth's biodiversity goals for 2050."

• Coastal resilience is integral to the state's long-term biodiversity objectives, addressing the severe impacts of climate change.

• Projects like the restoration of Collins Cove in Salem demonstrate the dual benefits of resilience and aesthetic enhancement.
• Restoring natural areas contributes to community well-being and environmental health.

"Collins Cove in Salem is a great example of these kinds of investments. It not only adds resilience to the shoreline, but also brings new beauty to the area."

• Restoration projects enhance both ecological resilience and community aesthetics, improving overall quality of life.

• Future efforts should focus on aligning human systems with natural ecosystems to manage climate challenges effectively.
• Creating sustainable, livable environments involves both fundamental changes and minor adjustments.

"How do we bring human systems in line with natural and ecological systems so that rather than constantly battling heat and water and all of these other elements, how do we create a system where we're working together?"

• Harmonizing human and natural systems is crucial for developing adaptive, sustainable communities in the face of climate change.