During extreme storms, mangroves offer a natural fortification against flooding and coastal erosion by reducing wave energy and trapping sediment. Hoping to better understand and maximize these benefits, researchers from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center and the U.S. Naval Academy are collaborating to learn more about how to most effectively use mangroves to reduce coastal damage caused by waves. This will enable USACE Districts and the nation to make educated decisions and optimize designs that will better protect our coastal communities.