Protect Rhode Island's Coastline!

Our Rhode Island Chapter is working with local community members to raise awareness about the dangers of seawalls and other man-made responses to coastal erosion. Seawalls are extremely abundant in Rhode Island, commonly found along the state's coastline, protecting coastal properties, infrastructure, and public spaces.

However, seawalls can have severe negative environmental impacts including; the disruption of natural coastal processes, beach narrowing and loss, altered wave dynamics, habitat alteration and loss, impacts on marine life, and aesthetic and recreational impacts. 

Rhode Island's iconic coastline deserves protection – for the marine life and all its communities looking to escape the inland heat or enjoy the healing open space or to learn how to surf. Man-made seawalls primarily protect private property owners at the expense of the public and the coast.

Instead, we are advocating for homeowners and community members to prioritize the use of nature-based solutions and more sustainable approaches that work with natural coastal processes. Nature-based solutions, like dune restoration and living shorelines, leverage natural ecosystems and processes to address coastal challenges, provide resilience to climate change impacts, and promote sustainable development.

As we navigate the challenges of an ever-changing climate and growing development pressures, it becomes increasingly essential to emphasize the importance of coastal protections for Rhode Island's coastline.

If you are looking to get involved, please contact ri@surfrider.org.