For professionals

about

The Living Shoreline Collaborative (LSC) is a group of regional and state partners working together to scale up implementation of resilient practices along shorelines in the tidal James River watershed.

LSC objectives

1. Share technical knowledge and practical experience of successful shoreline projects.
2. Connect community partners who are at various stages of building community resilience.
3. Identify concerns and needs of communities which are at high risk to sea level rise.
4. ​Encourage the prioritization of living shorelines within local governments and among decision makers.

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resources & upcoming events

workshops, Trainings & events

Living Shoreline Collaborative Virtual Summit: February 16th, 2021. This year's summit will focus on updates on living shoreline progress in the James River and opportunities to learn from successful living shoreline projects. We welcome participation from shoreline stakeholders from all sectors including business, non-profit, local and state government, academia, regulatory, and citizen groups. The geographic focus of the summit will be on the James River watershed. Registration will open in January 2021.

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Resources

materials from past events

Living Shoreline Design Workshop: ​March 4th, 2020

• Agenda
• Resources for Virginia Shoreline Professionals
• Site Evaluation Checklist (from VIMS Living Shoreline Design Guidelines)

2020 Living Shoreline Summit: State of our Shorelines: 
February 20th, 2020

• Agenda
• Living Shoreline Collaborative flyer

Shoreline & Landscape Professionals Workshop: ​March 14th, 2019

• Agenda​
• Living Shoreline Design Guidelines for Shore Protection in Virginia

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online resources

The Living Shoreline Academy, created by Restore America’s Estuaries and North Carolina Coastal Federation, is an online training course that will provide consultants, contractors and other professionals in the field of shore erosion control with basic information on the design and construction of living shorelines.

The Center for Coastal Resources Management, part of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, provides comprehensive information on living shorelines on their website. There are several self-guided decision tools specific to various shoreline conditions.
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The Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Program (CBLP) is a voluntary credential system for professionals who design, install, and maintain sustainable landscapes. The credential training and examination are based on a core set of standards in sustainable landscaping emphasizing stormwater retrofit best practices and conservation landscaping with native plants to benefit the environment. The CBLP curriculum covers a variety of best practices, including living shorelines.

Join the local conversation through the Living Shorelines VA mailing list. Contact Kati McCarter to join the list.

Activities

The Living Shoreline Collaborative holds events throughout the year. Check back for registration details.

• Annual Summits
• Professional workshops
• Site visits
• Installation of three living shoreline demonstration projects in Isle of Wight and Prince George counties.
• Installation of a floodplain restoration project in Hampton, VA.
• Continuing education workshops for Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals.

Attendees at the Living Shoreline Summit listen to panelists discuss funding opportunities for living shoreline projects.