Gulf Coast Restoration

The Mississippi River Delta brings the U.S. economy billions of dollars each year in energy, fishing, shipping and tourism. Yet the delta's many benefits are under threat from human-induced damage and tropical storms. On behalf of Environmental Defense Fund, we analyzed the value chain of firms capable of restoring coastal wetlands. We address the question, "If restoration were to occur on the scale needed, what kinds of jobs would be created, and where?"

Geosynthetics: Coastal Management Applications in the Gulf

Coastal management projects to restore the Gulf Coast nearly all use geosynthetics-polymer-based materials that can improve structure performance, reduce project time and cost, and lessen environmental impact. This study analyzes 84 firms linked to geosynthetics and coastal management, providing jobs in the five Gulf Coast states and 31 others.
View Report Interactive Database

Restoring Gulf Oyster Reefs: Opportunities for Innovation

Several natural and manmade stressors are destroying Gulf Coast oyster reefs, jeopardizing a resource that protects the shore, filters water, and increases marine fisheries production. Restoring oyster reefs will maintain these valuable ecosystem services, and support a network of 132 innovative small and medium sized businesses across 22 states.
View Report Interactive Database

Restoring the Gulf Coast: New Markets for Established Firms

Natural and human activities have damaged the Gulf Coast, threatening a valuable ecosystem vital to several billion-dollar industries such as seafood and tourism. Restoring the Gulf Coast can protect these assets while creating much-needed U.S. jobs, by engaging at least 140 firms across nearly 400 locations.
View Report View Interactive Database

*Keywords: Gulf Coast, restoration, delta, Louisiana, wetlands, marsh, oyster reefs, geosynthetics, geotextiles, coastal, ecosystem services, land loss, shoreline, jobs, firms, value chain