World Wetlands Day

Did you know February 2nd is world Wetlands Day – a day to celebrate the incredible ecosystems that help protect our coasts, support wildlife, and combat climate change? What if the answer to rising seas and eroding coastlines wasn’t concrete and steel but something alive? Living shorelines challenge us to rethink how we protect and restore our coasts. They represent a shift from fighting against nature to working alongside it—a bold and hopeful vision for the future, where ecosystems and communities work together and thrive.

Living shorelines are nature-based shoreline protection. By using natural materials in combination with native wetland plants and shellfish, these projects stabilize coastlines while creating vital habitats for wildlife. Over time, they grow stronger, adapting to changes and proving that resilience isn’t about rigidity- it’s about flexibility!  

And let’s face it - living shorelines are so much more inspiring than bulkheads and riprap. They remind us of our connection to the natural world, offering space where people can reconnect with the water, witness the return of wildlife, and feel the power of landscapes that are both beautiful and functional.  

The success of these projects relies on more than just engineering; it’s about vision and commitment. It’s about believing that we can create something better, something sustainable. When communities, designers, and ecologist come together, the results are extraordinary.