{"id":47691,"date":"2026-06-22T10:04:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T14:04:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=47691"},"modified":"2026-06-22T10:04:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T14:04:01","slug":"roots-for-resilience-initiative-grants-4-5-million-for-living-shoreline-projects-protecting-bay-communities-and-habitats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2026\/06\/22\/roots-for-resilience-initiative-grants-4-5-million-for-living-shoreline-projects-protecting-bay-communities-and-habitats\/","title":{"rendered":"Roots for Resilience Initiative Grants $4.5 Million for Living Shoreline Projects, Protecting Bay Communities and Habitats"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Marsh<\/a>

A low marsh in Dorchester County. DNR photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Roots for Resilience<\/span><\/a>, a Maryland Department of Natural Resources initiative to support climate adaptation on the Eastern Shore, has approved seven grants totaling more than $4.5 million to protect large areas of healthy saltmarsh habitat.<\/span><\/p>\n

These living shoreline projects will protect coastal areas and islands from shoreline erosion, providing a buffer for local communities and securing habitat for migratory birds like the saltmarsh sparrow and other sensitive wildlife species. The awarded projects include work that will specifically protect an important roadway and an outdoor space to support veterans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The construction of these living shorelines will contribute to the Roots for Resilience goal of protecting 400 acres of high-quality marsh habitat by 2029.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A living shoreline uses nature-based erosion control techniques, such as marsh plantings, coir logs, sills, and breakwaters, to stabilize shorelines while maintaining natural coastal processes to ensure future resilience. These approaches reduce erosion and flooding, protect infrastructure, lower long-term costs, support working waterfronts, and strengthen coastal adaptation to sea level rise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese projects are ideally suited for the Roots for Resilience initiative, designed for the vulnerable communities of the Eastern Shore,\u201d DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz said. \u201cThe shared goals of protecting people and habitats are vitally connected. These living shoreline projects demonstrate how solutions work best when we work with nature to benefit local communities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

DNR\u2019s Roots for Resilience, which recently <\/span>launched in May 2026<\/span><\/a>, is supported by $42.5 million in federal grant funding, allowing the department to invest in nature-based climate solutions like tree plantings, sustainable forest management, coastal wetland restoration, and living shoreline projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

These efforts are funded through a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, awarded to the <\/span>Atlantic Conservation Coalition<\/span><\/a>, made up of The Nature Conservancy and agencies in four coastal states, including DNR and the Maryland Department of the Environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Saltmarshes on the Eastern Shore are at risk from sea-level rise and gradual sinking, making <\/span>these low\u2011lying coastal marshes at high risk of drowning or converting to open water. <\/span>These critical habitats provide many benefits, acting as natural buffers that filter pollutants, sequestering carbon in plant roots and soil, and stabilizing shorelines from erosion and storm surges.<\/span><\/p>\n

The grant recipients include Maryland counties and nonprofit organizations, selected through a Request for Proposals process. One project is ready for construction, and the initiative will fund the design for six other projects that will be eligible for construction funding. The total funding available through this program for living shoreline restoration projects is approximately $17 million.<\/span><\/p>\n

Roots for Resilience living shoreline projects will take place across Dorchester and Somerset counties from 2026 to 2029. Projects will leverage additional funds and in-kind service committed by project partners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Project locations for the living shoreline grants include:<\/span><\/p>\n