After every extreme weather event, scientists study the effects of the event to see what they can learn from the consequences of that event. One of the lessons learned after Hurricane Idalia shows how “living shoreline” projects provide more protection to ocean fronts than other methods of protection from high waves and storm surge. Living shorelines use natural materials like sand, marsh grass, and artificial reefs from oyster shells and other materials instead of building more jetties and seawalls. We are trying this in Georgia as well as the group that studied this in Cedar Key, FL and have found it to be quite effective at minimizing storm damage. You can read more about the project or listen to it on NPR here.
A related story from Atlanta magazine describing how oyster shells from Atlanta restaurants are helping to build living shorelines along the Georgia coast is available at https://www.atlantamagazine.com/dining-news/oyster-shells-from-atlanta-restaurants-are-helping-save-the-georgia-coast/.
