Coastal Permaculture
Where Land, Sea and Community Meet
Coastal permaculture explores how shoreline and marine environments can be restored and managed in regenerative ways. It looks at how natural coastal processes — tides, salt‑tolerant plants, marine habitats, and water movement — can support healthier ecosystems and more resilient communities.
Coastal areas face unique pressures, including erosion, habitat loss, rising sea levels, and declining marine species. Coastal permaculture responds by restoring natural systems such as kelp forests, shellfish habitats, and salt‑tolerant plant communities
A Social, Environmental and Economic Approach
Coastal regeneration is not only about protecting ecosystems. It also has the potential to support communities facing economic challenges, limited access to nature, or the impacts of climate change. By creating inclusive learning spaces, low‑impact food opportunities, and pathways into nature‑based skills, coastal permaculture can strengthen wellbeing, build confidence, and support people who may feel excluded from traditional environmental activities.
It also has the potential to contribute to local economic resilience, offering opportunities for sustainable livelihoods that work with the coastline rather than against it.
Our Areas of Exploration
Seaweed Cultivation
Seaweed grows rapidly, requires no fertiliser, and supports marine biodiversity. We are exploring its potential as a sustainable food source and as a way to improve water quality and habitat health.
Coastal Food Forests
Salt‑tolerant plants can form resilient, multi‑layered systems that stabilise soil, support wildlife, and offer low‑impact food opportunities.
Restoring Marine Habitats
We are looking at how restoring kelp beds, oyster reefs, and seagrass meadows can support fish populations, improve water quality, and increase biodiversity.
Natural Erosion Management
Coastal plants with deep root systems can help stabilise shorelines and reduce erosion while supporting wildlife.
Community Knowledge and Learning
Workshops and learning opportunities will help people understand coastal ecology, sustainable harvesting, and shoreline regeneration.
Where we are now
Coastal permaculture is the next stage of our Land, Food and People programme. The sea underpins the cycle of life on Earth, and coastal communities experience a unique blend of environmental, social, and economic pressures. As we begin shaping this project, we are exploring how regenerative coastal systems can reflect these realities — from the industries that support coastal livelihoods to the challenges created by climate change, erosion, and access to nature.
Our aim is to design approaches that are inclusive, resilient, and relevant to the people who live and work along the coastline.
