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NOAA and partners announce tools to improve coastal resilience

Helping coastal decision makers incorporate "green" infrastructure

SAGE resilient shorelines, thriving communities graphic

Systems Approach to Geomorphic Engineering, or SAGE, is an effort that integrates "green" natural and nature-based measures with "gray" structural ones at the landscape scale. The new SAGE website includes more than 100 examples of ongoing or completed projects that incorporate SAGE principles.

Our coastal communities are facing increased threats due to sea level change, increased development, and greater demand for environmental resources. To reduce coastal risks and improve resilience, NOS has worked with the U.S. Army Corps, other federal, local government, academic, and non-governmental organizations to launch tools for coastal decision makers. The tools, which include a website and primer on shoreline stabilization, promote a hybrid engineering approach that integrates "green" natural and nature-based measures with "gray" structural ones at the landscape scale. The effort is referred to as a Systems Approach to Geomorphic Engineering, or SAGE.

The website includes more than 100 examples of ongoing or completed projects that incorporate SAGE principles. These projects incorporate restoration of green infrastructure such as dunes, oyster reefs, and wetlands. The variety of projects — from developing an 80-foot living shoreline to installing three acres of tidal wetlands — demonstrate the many ways communities can incorporate SAGE into their planning.


W. Russell Callender, Ph.D. 
Acting Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal
Zone Management, National Ocean Service