Shoreline erosion threatens the tidal marsh and sheltered shallow water habitats of Eastern Neck Island. High-energy waves from the Bay and the Chester River, worsened by boat traffic, major storms, and sea level rise, endanger these habitats. Refuge guts and creeks hold high concentrations of submerged aquatic vegetation that are critical to waterfowl, fisheries, and other aquatic organisms. To slow erosion, refuge staff and partners are using living shorelines, which control erosion by protecting, restoring, or enhancing existing habitat. Unlike bulkheads, living shorelines use gradual slopes, native plants, and sometimes low-profile rock structures to slow waves and create habitat. Constructed at a number of locations around the island, they help protect submerged aquatic vegetation, tidal marsh habitats, fish, and wildlife.