SMPIL Consulting

Rebuilding Native Habitat

Home Case Studies Living Shoreline
A before shot for reference @ high tide.
A before shot for reference @ high tide.
Existing groundselbush (Baccharis halimifolia), which held this strip of soil seaward of the existing retaining wall in place, was reinforced with other hardy natives including northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), beach plum (Prunus maritima), and Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana). Also pictured are a few of the hundreds of perennial herbs planted including New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis), seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens), and butterfly milkweed (Ascle… See More
Existing groundselbush (Baccharis halimifolia), which held this strip of soil seaward of the existing retaining wall in place, was reinforced with other hardy natives including northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), beach plum (Prunus maritima), and Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana). Also pictured are a few of the hundreds of perennial herbs planted including New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis), seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens), and butterfly milkweed (Ascle… See More
4,800 plugs of Spartina staged and ready for planting.
4,800 plugs of Spartina staged and ready for planting.
A closeup of the newly created Spartina marsh next to the neighbor's bulkhead. A stark contrast between beautiful green armor and a wall of metal and wood.
A closeup of the newly created Spartina marsh next to the neighbor's bulkhead. A stark contrast between beautiful green armor and a wall of metal and wood.
A newly installed nursery for baby fish and habitat for other benthic organisms.
A newly installed nursery for baby fish and habitat for other benthic organisms.
Beach grass (Ammophila arenaria) planted above the mean high water line transitions into a spartina marsh as the grade drops below the mean high water line.
Beach grass (Ammophila arenaria) planted above the mean high water line transitions into a spartina marsh as the grade drops below the mean high water line.
Coastal wetlands provide beautiful and functional armor to the shoreline. Such plantings can help us both adapt to and mitigate climate change.
Coastal wetlands provide beautiful and functional armor to the shoreline. Such plantings can help us both adapt to and mitigate climate change.
It's incredible that these plants pretty quickly "stick", and don't float away with the first high tide.
It's incredible that these plants pretty quickly "stick", and don't float away with the first high tide.

Provide natural beauty while protecting upland built structures from storm surge.

The intertidal area was heavily planted with smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), which will provide habitat while proving a valuable ecosystem service to the property owner.

The buffer will only strengthen over time, as the Spartina grass spreads primarily via rhizome and fills in gaps between plants.

Next Post Rain Garden