The proposed project will serve as a high-visibility demonstration of best-in-class coastal resilience and nature-based engineering. Selby Gardens proposes implementing a comprehensive living shoreline effort that includes approximately 3,000 linear feet of shoreline restoration across both campuses. The scope will include the installation of reef modules or similar breakwater structures—potentially up to 40 units—designed to attenuate wave energy, promote sediment deposition, and support oyster and benthic habitat establishment. Behind these structures, native plantings such as Spartina grasses and mangroves will stabilize the shoreline, enhance biodiversity, and improve water quality. Additionally, Selby Gardens proposes to replace approximately 120 linear feet of damaged seawall at the Historic Spanish Point campus with an ecologically enhanced, nature-integrated seawall. Pre-Planning & Grant Compliance • Review and interpretation of all project funding requirements (state, federal, private grants) • Coordination with Selby Gardens and funders to ensure eligible expenses • Development of project work plans aligned with grant scopes and performance metrics Site Evaluation & Baseline Assessments • Desktop review of site characteristics, GIS mapping, and data gathering • Site reconnaissance and condition assessment of: o Shoreline erosion and wave energy exposure o Existing seawall infrastructure (Historic Spanish Point) o Natural habitat presence (oysters, seagrasses, mangroves) • Geotechnical investigations • Topographic and bathymetric surveys • Benthic and seagrass habitat surveys • Cultural resource coordination with agencies and stakeholders Conceptual & Preliminary Design • Development of preliminary design concepts for: o Living shoreline restoration zones (offshore reef structures, near-shore plantings, riparian and upland grading) o Nature-based seawall retrofit (~120 LF) • Stakeholder and Selby Gardens design input workshops • Cost estimation and feasibility analysis • Climate adaptation and sea level rise scenario modeling
