Recently, an SFEC Board Committee (Herb, Randy, Carmen) met with both Upper Township Mayor Rich Palombo and Engineer Paul Dietrich to discuss a possible partnership that would address some solutions for mitigating receding marsh and shoreline erosion along the Strathmere bay front. The SFEC Board-members had a very positive discussion with Mr. Palombo and Mr. Dietrich as they both expressed interest in working the SFEC Community to develop and implement a plan to reduce marsh erosion as well as stabilize shorelines in various areas of the bay front that would enhance coastal resiliency. The concept is known as a Living Shoreline, which is a protected and stabilized coastal edge made of natural materials such as plants, sand, and rock. Living Shorelines are a natural infrastructure solution that actually “grow” over time. One focus area that was discussed as a possible candidate for shoreline restoration was the stretch of eroding marsh extending from the Strathmere boat ramp on south along Whale Creek. Mr. Dietrich, in fact commented, that in the last year this particular stretch of marsh shoreline has receded about 50 feet to the east, or towards Commonwealth Avenue. We hope to engage in additional discussions with Upper Township to investigate how SFEC could participate and support this initiative that will ultimately provide for a more robust shoreline. It is possible that the SFEC could help foster this initiative with Upper Township by providing community awareness to promote this coastal restoration approach and possibly partnering in the grant-writing process.