New Guidance Document Offers Comprehensive Resource for Living Shorelines in Coastal Georgia

Brunswick, Ga.

The living shoreline at Cannon's Point Preserve on Lawrence Creek on St. Simons Island is seen in an unmanned aerial vehicle photo taken Oct. 18, 2022. Georgia DNR photo by Dan Quinn.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Resources Division (CRD), in collaboration with an experienced coastal engineer and contractor, has released a new guidance document to support the design and implementation of living shorelines along the Georgia coast.

Titled “Living Shorelines in Coastal Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Designing Living Shorelines on the Georgia Coast,” the document provides practical, science-based criteria and standards for determining site suitability, developing designs, and applying best management practices (BMPs) in shoreline stabilization projects.

The guide is intended for a wide audience, including homeowners, regulators, engineers, contractors, landscape architects, and anyone interested in nature-based solutions for coastal erosion. 

Key elements include:

  • Site Suitability Criteria: Helping users determine if a living shoreline is appropriate for a given location by assessing conditions such as wave energy (fetch), water velocity, and adjacent land features.
  • Design Standards: Offering consistent, regulatory-aligned design elements such as ideal slope gradients and appropriate materials.
  • Best Management Practices: Recommending enhancements like oyster recruitment strategies, upland stormwater controls, and native vegetation planting to boost project success.

In addition to technical content, the guide features real-world case studies, example design plans, and cost comparisons between living shorelines and traditional hardened structures. It also includes a robust FAQ section and a curated list of resources for further information.

“Living shorelines are a powerful tool for balancing erosion control with environmental conservation,” said Jill Andrews, Coastal Management Section Chief. “This guide provides coastal Georgians with the knowledge they need to make informed, sustainable decisions for shoreline protection.”

To access the guide and learn more about living shorelines in Georgia, visit CoastalGaDNR.org/LivingShorelines.


About the Coastal Resources Division

The mission of the Coastal Resources Division is to balance coastal development and protection of the coast's natural assets, socio-cultural heritage and recreational resources for the benefit of present and future generations.


Media Contact

Tyler Jones
Public Information Officer
Coastal Resources Division
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
tyler.jones@dnr.ga.gov
912-275-5118


Additional Resources

Download "Living Shorelines in Coastal Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Designing Living Shorelines on the Georgia Coast"