Resilient Coasts & Communities Program

Restoring Coasts. Strengthening Communities.

Coastal Restoration: BioBlitz in Rosemont, North Charleston, SC

Protecting South Carolina Coastal Communities

The Resilient Coasts & Communities Program is dedicated to supporting underserved coastal communities by providing science-based support, building up local capacity, and driving habitat restoration projects forward. Through targeted interventions, the program works to strengthen community and ecosystem resilience to storms, flooding, tidal erosion, and sea level rise.

Federal partnerships back our initiative, allowing us to focus directly on the most vulnerable spots along the South Carolina coast. To make a real difference, we work side-by-side with historical neighborhoods, community partners, and local residents who need it most. Ultimately, we turn science into real-world action to protect the health of both the people and the environment here in the Lowcountry.

Core Program Pillars

Science Support

Collection and analysis of climate, habitat, and other conservation-related data to inventory and monitor localized environmental conditions and guide nature-based restoration interventions.

Capacity-Building

Supporting the planning, design, and implementation of community-led restoration actions through staff experts, local volunteers, AmeriCorps service members, and targeted training activities.

Restoration Work

On-the-ground, nature-based solutions—such as constructing living shorelines, restoring oyster reefs, and revitalizing salt marshes—complemented by robust pre- and post-implementation monitoring.

Implementing Living Shorelines in the Lowcountry

Traditional hardened shorelines (like bulkheads and seawalls) can worsen erosion downstream and destroy vital intertidal habitats. Our program champions nature-based solutions that work with the environment, rather than against it.

  • Oyster Reef Restoration: Deploying manufactured wire reefs and recycled oyster shells to serve as natural wave attenuators, breaking storm surge while creating critical nursery habitats for local fisheries.
  • Salt Marsh Revitalization: Planting native marsh grasses to stabilize coastal soils, absorb floodwaters, and trap sediment to keep pace with rising sea levels.
  • Community Assistance: Offering site assessments, permitting guidance, and technical installation support to help historical, under-resourced landowners safeguard their waterfront public spaces and properties.