This is a firsthand explanation of the design, plan, and efforts to protect a fragile and irreplaceable section of coastline in Marco Island, Florida.

CHAPTERS
00:01 – Tom setting up the stage for the video
02:34 – Introduction of Dr. DaBees and Humiston & Moore
05:18 – Tigertail cut and overwash into mangroves
06:05 – Marco is a barrier island, the history and current challenges
08:10 – Storm Damage and Repairs
10:17 – How much the coastline moves each year
10:56 – Why they don’t “Let Nature Take Its Course”
13:49 – Hurricane Irma - The beginning of the end - who owns the problem?
15:15 – Bird Habitat & Mangrove Care
16:25 – Meet the Senior Biologist - What does she do?
18:40 – The Big Picture of Coastal Management
20:24 – Why do they keep rebuilding the berm?
21:28 – Building the Berm as a "Bumper" How to dissipate the massive energy
23:25 – The multi-tier approach for coastal protection
24:49 – Why the preserve area is "priceless"
29:09 – The cost, and "the plan" - it's all connected from the first berm project until now
35:11 – The shoals inside the Tigertail waterway are designed for the birds
36:13 – Why they use heavy equipment rather than a dredge now - Cost avoidance
37:43 – How high will the berm be when it is complete
43:37 – Sand Trap and Flow channel - where they intentionally collect the storm sand for reuse
50:00 – The need to keep the Mangroves alive
54:33 – The berm is just about connected from north to south
55:17 – Final Thoughts

The project was featured in the 2024 Engineering With Nature Atlas published by the US Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center ERDC. Relevant pages to the Marco Island project in the book are attached and the full book can be accessed at the following link which is bookmarked at the pages of our project. Explore the full book as it contains successful global examples of engineering with nature under several categories. issuu.com/poweroferdc/docs/atlasv3-erdc-sr-24-2/11…

The project background, concept and design was published in 2022 in a reputable scientific journal . You can review and download the article from the following link: doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2022.884692

If you enjoy my videos and want to show your support/encouragement, consider buying me a coffee. No kidding, It will be spent exclusively at our Dunkin' Donuts on Marco Island! buymeacoffee.com/evolutionarytom

I have been a certified Remote Drone Pilot under the FAA Part 107 regulations since 2016, and maintain my recurrent training as required.

You can contact me at tchornstein@gmail.com