The Tidewater Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has partnered with the Colonial SWCD to offer Gloucester, Mathews and Middlesex residents access to the technical and financial assistance for living shorelines available through the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP). VCAP is utilizing funding from the commonwealth and grants to provide payments for eligible costs associated with living shoreline installation for approved projects. The reimbursement rate for approved living shorelines is 80 percent of the total project cost, not to exceed $30,000. Living shorelines are constructed to mimic natural marshes and often include the use of sand, marsh grasses and rock to protect the shoreline from erosive wave energy. While living shorelines are most commonly installed to protect properties from further erosion and soil loss, the water quality improvements and enhanced habitat and ecosystem services provided by these projects are also crucial towards improving the overal...