What is a Living Shoreline?

Living shorelines is a term used to describe environmentally friendly shoreline stabilization techniques. Living shorelines are alternatives to hardened shoreline techniques, such as bulkheads and seawalls, which stabilize shorelines, while also providing the benefits of a natural shoreline. Comparatively, hardened shorelines are detrimental to the environment.

Hardened shorelines, bulkheads, are detrimental to the environment.

Hardened shorelines, bulkheads, are detrimental to the environment. These structures often lead to more erosion and reduce the amount of intertidal habitat. Intertidal habitats improve water quality, act as storm buffers, and provide habitat for fish, crustaceans, and birds. Additionally, for most shorelines, a living shoreline approach is cheaper and more resilient.

Even with all these known benefits, living shorelines have not been adopted as the first choice for shoreline protection.

Reasons for the lack of living shoreline projects:

Property owners and contractors unaware of these techniques

Misconceptions about the level of shoreline protection these projects provide

Perceived costs

Unfamiliarity with the permitting process

What We do

For this program, we work directly with property owners, contractors, nurseries, and regulatory agencies to help increase the knowledge base and streamline the processes associated with implementing living shoreline projects. Our activities include conducting property owner, contractor, and government agency workshops/trainings, producing guidebooks and extension publications, research to improve the site design process, and site evaluations.

Learn more about each programs below.

Living Shoreline Cost-Share
Living Shoreline Technical Assistance Program
Living Shoreline Construction and Monitoring at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Gulf-Wide Living Shoreline Permitting
Living Shoreline Contractor Training

Living Shoreline cost-Share

The MSU/MASGC Living Shoreline Program is currently offering cost-assistance to private property owners in coastal Mississippi for installation of a living shoreline on their property. This assistance will pay for part or all of any materials that will be installed below the mean high water line (i.e., plants, rock, sediment, etc.). There is also cost-assistance for property owners in Little Lagoon, AL and Perdido Bay, FL. If you are interested in participating in this cost-assistance program please reach out to us.

Living Shoreline Technical Assistance Program

The Living Shoreline Technical Assistance Program is a joint effort by Mississippi State University and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium offering free assistance to private property owners in coastal Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Through this program, property owners can receive free shoreline assessments, living shoreline designs, and living shoreline permitting assistance.

If you’re a property owner interested in a living shoreline, fill out the form below.

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Living Shoreline Construction and Monitoring at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Our team has been working with officials with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge to build a living shoreline along the western end of Little Lagoon in Gulf Shores, AL to restore the shoreline and prevent further erosion. This project has resulted in the creation of 3,800 sqft. of new vegetated shoreline.

Gulf-Wide Living Shoreline Permitting

This Gulf of Mexico Star Program-funded project aims to identify barriers to living shoreline permitting, host living shoreline workshops, and provide living shoreline resources in the five Gulf states (i.e., Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida).

Living Shoreline Contractor Training

The MSU/MASGC Living Shoreline Program offers trainings to marine contractors, consultants, landscapers, and any other professional interested in learning about the process of designing and installing living shorelines.