Alternatives to hard shoreline armoring

According to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Shore Friendly program, about 25% of Puget Sound’s 2,500 miles of shoreline is now lined with bulkheads, seawalls, and other protective “hard armor.” This hard armor harms ecosystems by displacing vegetation and marine habitat, preventing the natural redistribution of fine sediment, and coarsening nearby beaches. Many species depend on fine sediment for feeding and spawning, meaning the entire food web is disrupted.

WSG supports training and programming to educate coastal planners and shoreline property owners about alternatives to hard armoring and armor removal.

Westport beach driftwood and bluff

 

Beach tours with Jeff Adams

 

Homeowner support for shoreline stewardship

Stormwater runoff and poor residential practices are major contributors to the flow of toxins, chemicals, pathogens, nutrients and sediment into Puget Sound. WSG educates people and communities about how to become part of the solution by reducing stormwater pollution.

The program helps citizens understand their impacts on the marine environment, enlisting them in activities and best practices that promote environmental stewardship. This work includes teaching homeowners about low-impact residential practices such as:

 

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