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NATURE-BASED SHORELINES FOR RESILIENT COMMUNITIES

Hudson River Sustainable Shorelines
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The Hudson River Sustainable Shorelines Project (HRSSP) is a long-term initiative that is dedicated to the use of nature-based management practices on the shores of New York’s Hudson River. We provide science-based information on the best options for preserving natural shoreline features and functions through stabilization projects. We engage many communities and partners throughout New York and beyond.

Hudson River Sustainable Shorelines are: 

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    Resilient in storms

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    Cost-effective

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    Low-maintenance

    Resources

    When to implement

    Planning

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    Monitoring & Lessons Learned

    Best Management Practices

    Guides & tools

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    Contact

    Lindsay Charlop, HRNERR Estuary Training Program Coordinator Lindsay.charlop@nulldec.ny.gov

    About

    Partners

    Find a Site

    Webinars

    About Sustainable Shorelines

    Sustainable shorelines are designed using nature-based features and practices and managed to promote coastal resilience. Their many benefits include:

    • Cost-efficient erosion control and shoreline stabilization
    • Absorption of energy from waves and currents
    • Habitat for a diversity of native species
    • Carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change
    • Pathways for wetland migration as the climate changes 
    • Cleaner water through filtration of polluted runoff

    Current Projects

    The Hudson River Sustainable Shorelines Project is a long-term initiative that is dedicated to the use of nature-based shoreline management practices on the coasts of New York’s Hudson River. We provide science-based information on the best options for preserving coastal natural features and functions through shoreline stabilization projects. Seed funding for this project came from the NERRS Science Collaborative. We engage many communities and partners throughout New York and beyond. Our current projects include:

    • Shoreline Assessment: The Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve leads a long-term monitoring program to evaluate the ecological and physical performance of sustainable shoreline projects within our demonstration site network. We use data from this assessment to develop and share best management practices with partners in the region and beyond. Click here to learn more. 
    • Priority Shoreline Inventory: This inventory uses geographical information systems (GIS) to identify candidate locations for sustainable shorelines demonstration projects. Once we identify sites, we collect field data to assess the need to replace or maintain existing hard shoreline structures and the opportunity to incorporate sustainable shorelines practices to enhance habitat value and ecosystem resiliency. Access the most current shoreline inventory data at the NYS GIS Clearinghouse. 

    Find a Sustainable Shoreline

    Our network of sustainable shoreline demonstration sites along the Hudson showcases the efficacy of a variety of natural and nature-based engineering methods. Our oldest site at Habirshaw Park, Yonkers, was started in 2003, and development of our newest began in December 2021 at Dockside Park, Cold Spring. To  learn more about each installation and view associated case studies, click each site name on the map:

    Click here to read about the lessons learned from these sites.

    Webinars

    The Sustainable Shoreline Webinar Series showcases innovative, nature-based shoreline protection projects and waterfront planning solutions that advance resilience planning, and tools that advance conservation and sustainability. 

    Please check back later for upcoming events. 

    Past Events Archive

    Click the title of an event to view a recording (if available) or associated documents.

    Year Title Speakers
    2022Conservation Words That Work: Engaging the American Public Through the Language of Conservation• Mark Damian Duda, Responsive Management
    • Tom Beppler, Responsive Management
    2022Sustainable Shorelines: Climate Adaptation in Practice• Joseph Sutkowi, Waterfront Alliance
    • Lyndsey Cooper, NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program
    • Clif Staples, Climate Smart Communities Equity Working Group
    2022Sustainable Shorelines: New Tools for Engaging Communities and Resource ManagersJessica Kuonen, New York Sea Grant
    2021Sustainable Shorelines: Building Resilience in a Changing World• Peter Weppler, New York Chapter of the US Army Corps of Engineers
    • Nancy Beard, New York Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program
    2021Sustainable Shorelines: New Tools and Guidance for Designers and Practitioners• Sarah Charlop-Powers, Natural Areas Conservancy
    • Rebecca Swadek, NYC Parks
    • Carolyn Fraioli, NYS DOS
    • Shannon Dougherty, NYS DEC
    2020Implementation of Nature-Based Shoreline Projects and Initiatives Since 2015 in New York State
    2020Resilient Hudson River Shoreline Designs from the Climate Adaptive Design Studio
    2020Softening Our Shorelines• National Wildlife Federation
    • Coastal States Organization
    2020Place-based Understanding of Fish Nursery Habitat Function and Impact Mitigation with a Focus on Shoreline Engineering• Dr. Thomas Grothues, Rutgers University
    2020Shoreline Management BMP Verification for Chesapeake Bay TMDL Pollutant Reduction Credits• Aaron Wendt, Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation
    2019Understanding Shoreline Management Decisions and Incentivizing Living Shorelines Among Private Landowners• Steven Scyphers, Northeastern University
    2019Living Shoreline Techniques in the Buffalo-Niagara Region• Emily Root, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
    • Charles Oddo, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
    • Erica Grohol, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
    2019Sustainable Shoreline at Foundry Dock Park: Design and Performance • Stephen Yarabek, Hudson-Pacific Designs
    2019Bioengineering Techniques for Shoreline Stabilization in Coastal Regions• Rebecca Haney, Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
    • Seth Wilkinson, Wilkinson Ecological Design
    2019Regional Collaboration to Advance the Use of Nature-Based Solutions in New England• Eric J. Roberts, The Nature Conservancy
    2018Ecology of Shorezones• Stuart Findlay, Cary Institute
    • David Stayer, Cary Institute
    2018Living Shorelines Techniques in the Marine District of New York State• Dawn McReynolds, NYSDEC
    2018Case Study Comparison of Behavior Change Tactics in Promoting the Adoption of Nature-Based Shoreline Protection Methods• Lucille Potter, Bard Center for Environmental Policy
    2018Sustainable Shoreline Tools: Long Island Sound and Raritan Bay• Meredith Comi, NY/NJ Baykeeper
    • Gregory Biesiadecki, Langan
    2018Sustainable Shoreline Tools: Education Programs• Julia Kirkwood, Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership
    • Aram Terchunian, Coastal Zone Foundation
    2017Sustainable Shoreline Tools: Mapping Tools• John Truscinski, The Nature Conservancy
    • Karen Duhring, VA Institute of Marine Science
    2017Sustainable Shoreline Tools: Design Guidance• Jim Park, ODNR Office of Coastal Management
    • Jim Johannessen, Coastal Geologic Services, Inc.
    2017Niagara River and Connecticut Lakeshores• Jason Williams, Milone & Macbroom
    • Tim DePriest, NYSDEC
    NYC Waterfront Alliance Collaboration on WEDG Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines• Kate Boicourt, Waterfront Alliance
    • Brian Staresnick, Balsley
    • Terry Doss, Biohabitats
    2016Enhancing Armored Shoreline – Techniques & Prioritization Inventory• Kacie Giuliano, NYSDEC Estuary Program
    • Stuart Munsch, University of Washington
    • Andrew Rella, EcoConcrete
    • Dan Miller, NYSDEC Estuary Program
    2016Long Island Sound Sustainable Shorelines• Laura Schwanof, GEI Consultants
    • Mike Ludwig, COWI North America
    2016Sustainable Shorelines Designs: From Long Island to Lake Erie• Jennifer Dunn, NYSDEC
    • Brian Majka, GEI Consultants
    2016Hudson River Working Shorelines and Techniques• Sven Hoeger, Creative Habitat Corp.
    • Jon Miller, Stevens Institute of Technology