In a collaborative effort to address the physical and ecological stability of living shoreline projects in coastal Georgia, the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory (EL) Coastal Ecology Team, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR), conducted a kickoff workshop for the EWN living shoreline stability and function project in Brunswick, Georgia.
On November 6, 2023, Dr. Safra Altman and Ms. Krystyna Powell, both from ERDC EL, along with researchers from GA DNR Coastal Research Division, hosted a workshop with the Georgia Living Shoreline Workgroup, bringing together eleven entities representing federal, state, academic, public, and private sectors, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Sea Grant, and The Nature Conservancy.
Discussions during the workshop focused on various aspects of living shoreline projects in Georgia, including updates, data collection methods, changes in structures over time, and project maintenance. The workshop served as the launch for the EWN research project aiming to examine the ecological and physical performance of living shoreline structures. By addressing this knowledge gap, the project aims to enhance the implementation of living shoreline solutions, contributing to improved coastal resilience.
This project aligns with Navigation Statements of Need focusing on quantifying the engineering performance of Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) through field monitoring efforts and streamlining monitoring for EWN, NNBF, and Beneficial Use of Dredged Material (BUDM) projects. The outcomes of this research will play a crucial role in advancing the understanding and effectiveness of living shoreline structures in coastal environments.
