Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor Environmental developed Biomimicry, a minimal profile system during a Barrier Dune restoration in Truro, Cape Cod. Biomimicry is an innovative, coastal restoration system that mimics the profile and random matrix of native vegetation. Biomimicry also mimics the performance of native vegetation by collecting and stabilizing  sand from storm winds. In Truro, the broken dune had over-washed into a fresh water marsh for 19 yrs. Safe Harbor’s restoration systems collected 22-24 vertical feet of new sand In 26 months. The cross section profile of the restored Barrier Dune was 600 square feet. Making Land From Air: Biomimicry Strategies and Techniques  “Biomimicry” refers to our minimal profile, random matrix, coastal restoration system.  Biomimicry mimics the ‘performance” of native coastal vegetation to stabilize and collect wind blown sand. Biomimicry uses 14 inch long, narrow Cedar shims which are randomly, inserted several inches into the sand, spaced from 10-14 inches apart, in a 4-6 foot wide random matrix along the upper beach. This matrix stabilizes existing sand while collecting new sand from ocean storms. As sand levels rise, the shims are pulled up higher, to continue collecting. Additional shims can be added to widen the profile. How the shims are adjusted controls the profile of the sand collection platform. As elevations increase, Beach grass can be planted side by side with Biomimicry. 

Please download your own copy of our free publications below:

Biomimicry: Making Land from Air Biomimicry: Making Land from Water

 Gordon holding a cedar shim used for biomimicry

Newly installed biomimicry

The wind blown sand has started to collect

The biomimicry has successfully collected sand

Native vegetation collects and stabilizes windblown sand