Page 14 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2020

COAST NOTE
THE VITAL ROLE OF
When teaching students about the bene t of wetlands, we often play a game called “wetland metaphors.” Students take turns pulling objects out of a bag – a sponge, a co ee lter, a toy crib – and we talk about how these objects represent important values of wetlands. A wetland is like a sponge because it absorbs
extra stormwater to reduce ooding. A wetland is like a lter because it removes pollution and cleans the water. A wetland is a nursery for young sh, crabs, and shrimp. Our Coastal Mississippi wetlands, including marshes and swamps, provide all of these bene ts and more.
Just like natural wetlands, we can build “living shorelines” to protect coastal property, make the water cleaner, and provide habitats for sh and wildlife. Instead of using a seawall or bulkhead,
a living shoreline is a more natural approach to stabilize shorelines and reduce erosion. Made up of mostly natural materials, including native plants or oyster shells, living shorelines can be less expensive to install and are easier
to maintain than traditional bulkheads. They also provide easy access to the water for activities we all love, such as kayaking, shing, and swimming.
Property owners and local communities are beginning to use living shorelines more often, but it can be di cult to nd information on design and construction, cost, and permitting. A group of local scientists recently partnered to create a new set of resources for homeowners, consultants, and contractors who want to know more about how to build a living shoreline. An information catalog,
short fact sheets, and videos are now all together in one, easy-to-access website at www.gul ivingshorelines.com.
May is American Wetlands Month and a great time to get outside and enjoy
our coast by kayak, boat, or on a nature walk. If you want to see a living shoreline rsthand, The Old Brick House (Biloxi), Camp Wilkes (Biloxi), and the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Moss Point) all have living shoreline sites with educational signs that highlight their important features.
Gulf of Mexico Alliance
1151 Robinson St., Ocean Springs www.gulfofmexicoalliance.org Social Media @GOMAlliance
story by Christina Mohrman photos by Caitlin Synder and courtesy of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance
Embrace the Gulf 2020 is an awareness campaign which aims to highlight the value and vitality of the Gulf Coast Region.
14 | May 2020
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
Living Shorelines