There appears to be a colossal effort to restore and recover essential tidewater habitat. Meanwhile, broad scale destruction of tidewater habitats continues.  Preservation should be our primary role. Restoration of habitats already lost could be the joint role of public/private enterprise. Until we stop destroying it, there is little hope for restoring it.

In order to preserve the remaining natural living shorelines and maintain the integrity of habitat restoration and erosion control designs identified as “Living Shorelines”, the term has been submitted to the U. S. Patent Office for trademark registration. The term “Living Shorelines” is not necessarily interchangeable with “non-structural” or “vegetated” shoreline protection measures. To date, there are no accepted design criteria for so called “Living Shorelines”. As such, not all shoreline designs qualify as “Living Shorelines”. Although these new “non-structural” and “vegetated” techniques are an improvement over the traditional structural measures, the term “Living Shoreline” implies a further evolved design which maintains or replicates as much of the natural shoreline and adjacent ecosystem as possible. We suggest “Living Shorelines” are designs that use less non-native materials and are less destructive to surrounding natural habitat. Preferably, “Living Shorelines” will not sacrifice one habitat type over another. “Living Shorelines” are just that - living and alive; in rhythm with the native landscapes and natural forces; and truly accessible to resident species.

The Terrapin Institute does not claim to have coined the phrase “Living Shorelines”. There are no proprietary rights to the term. Any organization or business has the same right and opportunity to apply for trademark registration of “Living Shorelines” and use it in commerce. Any organization with trademark rights may restrict the use of their trademark by others. The term would make a fitting logo for a chain of water-oriented housing developments, houseboat manufacturers, or marine contractors. Our intent is that “Living Shorelines” remains associated with habitat preservation, conservation and restoration.

The term originates out of a promotion for comprehensive fish habitat conservation. Essential fish habitat includes the edge, the shoreline, the transition between land and water. Heretofore, little progress had been made to identify and preserve the shoreline as fish habitat. Little progress has been made in fisheries restoration. Effective fisheries management requires equal consideration of the animal and its essential habitat. It makes no sense to restore a species in waterways which are inhospitable and devoid of essential habitat. Likewise, it seems inconsistent to build the habitat and not the species. Restored habitat will NOT make the species reappear and repatriating fish will not produce sustainable fisheries.

The diamondback terrapin inspired a renewed interest in the values of natural shorelines; preserving shorelines and tidewater habitats; and restoring shorelines in a more living and functional way. The terrapin became the Face of Restoration and for many, a connection between land and water, an awareness of how our use of the land decides the integrity of the water. As an advocate for the species, we are protecting its abundance and keeping the species connected with its habitat. We do not support the rampant destruction of natural shorelines, the adverse possession of our public domain, or all the shoreline restoration claiming to be “living shoreline”. We believe our private initiative will further the preservation of natural shorelines and preserve the integrity of “living shorelines” so that restoration efforts are adequately designed, productive and properly maintained. Only those competent and engaged in promoting “Living Shorelines” as a component of natural resource preservation, conservation, and restoration should use the term. Anyone aggrieved should file an objection with the U.S. Patent Office.

The Terrapin Institute is a private organization and relies upon traditional ethical practices and standards of business commerce. As any successful business, we protect our investment, avoid impediments and focus on the mission. We strive to preserve that which Nature has designed, provided and positioned. “If you shoot for the moon, you might land on the roof.” Our intention behind registering the term with the federal government is two fold: to preserve the integrity of the term “Living Shorelines” as intended and described; and preserve its use for the advancement of shoreline habitat preservation and restoration. Considering the lack of progress in natural resource restoration, maybe greater accountability, new ideas and privatized conservation is worth a try. If we are truly dedicated to preserving and restoring our natural resources, we should welcome private investment, initiative, and innovation. Only when we preserve that which we have, are we worthy to restore that which we have lost.