Living Shoreline

Living Shoreline is a broad term that encompasses a range of shoreline stabilization techniques. A living shoreline is an alternative to shoreline hardening by using plants, sand, and rock to provide shoreline protection and maintain valuable habitat.

Living shoreline projects utilize a variety of structural and organic materials such as:

• Aquatic plants
• Oyster reefs
• Sand fill
• Stone
• Wetland plants

Hardened Structures

Living shorelines offer a more natural bank stabilization technique than traditional hard armoring such as seawalls or bulkheads. Typical shorelines are often stabilized with hardened structures, such as bulkheads, revetment, and concrete seawalls. These structures can increase the rate of erosion behind the wall, remove the ability of the shoreline to carry out natural processes, and provide little habitat for estuarine species.

Living Shoreline Plan

A living shoreline plan was developed as part of collaboration between the:

• City of Titusville
• Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program,
• St. Johns River Water Management District
• University of Central Florida

This plan shows what kind of living shorelines should be implemented in Titusville and how you can install one on your property.