Along Water Street in Yorktown, VA, York County led a shoreline protection project that placed clean sand fill and rock breakwaters to form a series of pocket beaches—beaches stabilized by artificial or natural headlands. The project provides protection to approximately 1,600 feet of Route 1020 (Water Street) along the York River.

Hampton, Virginia created the state’s first environmental impact bond to finance community resilience projects. The city’s resiliency officer led the effort, and partnered with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, an outcomes-based capital firm, and local partners to make the bond and the storm-water management resilience projects a reality.  

The Elizabeth River Project (ERP) is a nonprofit based in Norfolk, VA is working with a wide range of partners to restore the Elizabeth River through nature-based solutions projects. The river has suffered from habitat loss and pollution. ERP implements projects to improve water and habitat quality. 

The Chesterfield Heights neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia is experiencing increased stormwater flooding and rapid sea-level rise. To address increased flooding, the goals were to conduct an adaption design process with full community involvement that focused on adaptation before significant storm and flooding damage occurred, and to maintain or expand ecosystem services.