Natural and nature-based features were utilized in the installation of a living shoreline in Patchoque, NY. Credit: NYSG/K. Fallon

Contact: 

Kathleen Fallon, NYSG Coastal Processes & Hazards Specialist, E: kmf228@cornell.edu, P: (631) 632-8730

Hannah Burnett, NYSG Coastal Resilience Extension Specialist, E: heb84@cornell.edu, P: (718) 841-7609

Identifying Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) knowledge gaps and sharing related research and data informs stakeholders about resilient shoreline practices

Stony Brook, NY, March 25, 2024 - Utilization of natural and nature-based features is a novel approach for shoreline management in New York State (NYS) and gaps remain in both knowledge and practice. Shoreline decision-makers often lack the necessary information on NNBF suitability and performance, particularly throughout the diverse coastal environments of the state. More work is needed to identify critical needs to advance the use of NNBF research and data to build socially, ecologically, and structurally resilient shoreline practices in NYS.

New York Sea Grant (NYSG) received funding from the U.S. Coastal Research Program to address the need for NNBF research and data sharing through forums, workshops, and communication products that will connect diverse end-users with relevant expertise. The goal of this two-year project is to inform and influence shoreline planning, design, and management in NYS by co-producing a diverse set of processes information products for stakeholders utilizing existing NNBF research and monitoring data.

In June 2023, NYSG convened a workshop with diverse stakeholders from more than 20 organizations, representing state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and shoreline contractors, to identify knowledge gaps and data needs in NNBF. Forums are planned to address the top-identified gaps and needs: baseline conditions of sites, success rates of NNBF, and socio-cultural benefits of NNBF. Two virtual forums (held in October and December) drew nearly 130 participants from across NYS; a third forum will be held in early 2024.

Through forums and workshops, New York Sea Grant is identifying the knowledge gaps surrounding natural and nature-based features in New York State and working to share research and data that can inform and advance resilient shoreline practices.

Project Partner: 

• Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay


More Info: New York Sea Grant

New York Sea Grant (NYSG), a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York (SUNY), is one of 34 university-based programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program.

Since 1971, NYSG has represented a statewide network of integrated research, education and extension services promoting coastal community economic vitality, environmental sustainability and citizen awareness and understanding about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources.

Through NYSG’s efforts, the combined talents of university scientists and extension specialists help develop and transfer science-based information to many coastal user groups—businesses and industries, federal, state and local government decision-makers and agency managers, educators, the media and the interested public.

The program maintains Great Lakes offices at Cornell University, SUNY Buffalo, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Oswego, the Wayne County Cooperative Extension office in Newark, and in Watertown. In the State's marine waters, NYSG has offices at Stony Brook University and with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County on Long Island, in Queens, at Brooklyn College, with Cornell Cooperative Extension in NYC, in Bronx, with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County in Kingston, and with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County in Elmsford.

For updates on Sea Grant activities: www.nyseagrant.org has Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and YouTube links. NYSG offers a free e-list sign up via www.nyseagrant.org/nycoastlines for its flagship publication, NY Coastlines/Currents, which is published quarterly.