San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

Our team worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to install 60,000 vegetative two-inch plugs of Spartina alterniflora (Smooth Cordgrass) behind breakwaters and along the shore at both the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge and the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. Some areas of these refuges have sustained losses of over 600 feet of shoreline and, thus, became the focal point of this planting effort.

The Smooth Cordgrass was installed on 5-foot centers both behind the breakwaters, as depicted above, and 50-100 feet out from the shoreline depending on water depth. This vegetative planting was conducted over the course of one week with our team of trained planting technicians and marine vessels. The fall timing of this planting allowed for some growing season to remain, cooler temperatures to recognize reduced transplant shock from scorching, and relatively lower tides for installation.

Project Highlights
Installation of 60,000 two-inch vegetative plugs of Spartina alterniflora (Smooth Cordgrass) behind breakwaters and along the shoreline of San Bernard and Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge.