The living shorelines event takes place the final week of March. (Photo courtesy of DREC)
First Staters hoping to learn more and become experts on living shorelines – a natural shoreline made of plants, sand, or rock that protects and stabilizes the coast – have an opportunity to do so at the end of the month.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is offering a two-day training event Tuesday, March 25, and Wednesday, March 26 for individuals interested in learning about living shorelines.
The in-person event will be held at the DNREC Lewes Field Office from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, which is located at 901 Pilottown Road.
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The training, presented in partnership with the Delaware Living Shorelines Committee, aims to introduce participants to the process and components of living shorelines—a natural, environmentally-friendly method for preventing shoreline erosion and supporting coastal habitats.
The event is geared towards scientists, engineers, landscape professionals, marine contractors, government officials, and students.
According to Alison Rogerson, DNREC environmental scientist and chair for the Delaware Living Shorelines Committee, the living shoreline training scheduled for March 25-26 marks the ninth workshop of its kind in Delaware sponsored by DNREC.
Along with the Delaware Living Shorelines Committee and the Center for the Inland Bays, DNREC started the introductory training workshops in 2015 to build awareness for living shorelines, to train professionals to meet the demands of landowners, and to help ensure adoption of successful shoreline stabilization projects that utilize natural and greener tactics.
The upcoming two-day class is geared toward professionals working in Delaware and includes classroom and field components.
Living shorelines event schedule
On the first day, attendees will explore the ecological foundations of living shorelines, focusing on shoreline issues, the variety of shoreline solutions, and the plants and animals that thrive in these coastal habitats.
The second day will dive deeper into the technical aspects of living shorelines, including materials, design techniques, and the permitting process. Participants will also gain hands-on experience with field visits and real-world applications.
Instructors from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, private consulting firms, and non-profit organizations will lead the sessions.
DNREC’s Wetland Monitoring and Assessment program will represent the department’s involvement in the training.
The data obtained by DNREC from assessing wetlands is being used to design wetland restoration plans for watersheds and to better understand how certain land use decisions affect the health of our wetlands.
“This event is popular and fills up every year, demonstrating the continued interest in living shorelines and the need for professional education,” Rogerson said. “We hope attendees will come away with a basic understanding of all things related to living shorelines: needs and benefits, design options, selecting proper materials, obtaining permits, lessons learned and long-term maintenance.”
Living shorelines utilize natural materials—such as native plants, oyster shells, and biodegradable coir logs—to mitigate erosion and flood impacts.
These sustainable solutions provide protection for coastal communities while also creating vital habitats for local wildlife.
The training costs $35, which includes coffee, snacks, lunch, and an educational binder.
Due to limited space, the event is capped at 26 participants, and attendees must commit to attending both days.
For registration and more information, click here.
“Additionally, we hope participants can utilize the experts involved in the training lessons in future projects or professional networking, Rogerson said.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
Jarek can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz and on LinkedIn.
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