1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Mobile (FUA) Region Northern America Short description of the intervention The Lower Perdido Islands – Bird, Robinson and Walker Islands – are located in the Perdido Pass, in Orange Beach. The area is a popular destination, attracting many visitors due to its blue-green water and diverse wildlife, which, however, leads to erosion from boat wakes and marine debris. Its popularity impacts these wildlife habitats, including the seagrasses, marsh and forests which provide habitat for nesting birds and nurseries for local fish. Therefore, the Nature Conservancy, the City of Orange Beach, Moffatt & Nichol, and Olsen Associates Inc. started working together in 2017 to create a conservation management plan for the Perdido Islands, as well as develop some restoration initiatives to support this critical habitat for the future [1,3]. This Lower Perdido Islands' restoration project is part of a larger Perdido Bay Watershed restoration plan [2] Website of the intervention https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/lower-p… Principal problems Environmental Degradation Biodiversity loss Soil degradation and loss Poor water quality Implementation area characterization Climate Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter) Ecosystem Sandy coastal ecosystems (including beaches and dunes) Shallow waters (saline) Coastal wetlands Address United States Location The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by). Area boundary (map-based) NBS area image Source of NBS area image Source: Moffatt & Nichol Link: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/lower-perdido-islands/ Area description Seascape Type of area before implementation of the NBS Sea coast (e.g. dunes, beach) Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) 2017 Start date of intervention (implementation process) 2025 End date of the intervention ongoing Present stage of the intervention Ongoing 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention The Lower Perdido Islands project aims to restore wildlife habitat on the islands while maintaining their recreational function. This includes restoring and sustaining marsh, forest, and seagrass habitats, which are home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including shorebirds and wading birds such as brown pelicans and great blue herons [1]. Specific goals include: - Create a conservation management plan for the Lower Perdido Islands (Bird, Robinson, and Walker Islands). - Develop restoration initiatives to support critical wildlife habitats. - Address erosion caused by boat wakes and marine debris. - Protect and restore habitats such as seagrasses, marshes, and forests. - Preserve nesting sites for birds and nurseries for local fish. - Contribute to the broader Perdido Bay Watershed restoration plan. Key Priorities Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration) Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14) Coastal protection / hazard mitigation Marine and coastal biodiversity protection Environmental quality Waste management Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15) Habitat and biodiversity restoration Habitat and biodiversity conservation Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention? Species-focused Ecosystem-focused Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets? Protect and enhance urban habitats Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem Protect species Undertake specific measures to protect species Undertake specific measures to protect native species Undertake specific measures to protect valued species Means for conservation governance Raise public awareness What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention? Species-focused Ecosystem-focused What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets? Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified) Restore valued species Public engagement Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities In order to restore and sustain the islands' critical habitat, the project has multiple habitat restoration initiatives. This includes planting trees and shrubs for nesting birds, creating buffer areas for wildlife without human presence, and signs to raise awareness on the habitats, such as signs indicating seagrass. Alongside restoring habitat, they also aim to raise public awareness of the already existing regulations and the importance of the habitats on the islands. The habitat restoration actions will take place on Walker Island and Robinson Island. On Robinson Island, the focus is on restoring/creating three acres of degraded marsh (i.e. by including a thin layer of sediment) and creating four acres of dune habitat to reduce erosion. On Walker Island, restoration placement areas will be created, including marsh habitat, upland habitat and subtidal shoal habitat, while in the west area, marsh habitat will be restored, and dune and shrub habitat that has been lost over the years will be restored [1]. Type of NBS project Coastal landscape management or protection Coastal ecosystems restoration and maintenance (mangroves, dunes, saltplains, underwater meadows) Improving coastal resilience Ecological restoration of ecosystems Restoration of wetlands (other types than peatlands and mangroves, e.g. seagrass) Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems) Protection of natural ecosystems Protecton and enhancement of wetlands (other types than peatlands and mangroves, e.g. seagrass) Habitat restoration Habitat conservation Marine and coastal conservation initiatives Knowledge creation and awareness raising Educational and awareness raising programs Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity Habitat mapping, restoration and monitoring-focused management 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Blue infrastructure Coastlines Coastal wetland, mangroves and salt marshes Amenities offered by the NBS Swimming areas Viewing and outlook points Design elements for well-being Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation) Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Regulating services Coastal protection Habitat and supporting services Habitats for species Cultural services Tourism Aesthetic appreciation Recreation Scale Spatial scale Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area Orange beach has a community that is in general high-income, and relatively old (median age of 51.1) Socio-economic profile of the area High-income Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Yes Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities Coastal communities Non-government actors Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches Private sector/Corporate/Business Primary Beneficiaries Local government/Municipality Non-government organisation/Civil Society Private sector/Corporate/Company Coastal-dependent communities (e.g. small-scale fishers, coastal farmers, and indigenous peoples) Marginalized groups Specify primary beneficiaries Some areas on the islands are tribal lands Marginalized groups Indigenous communities Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups Not known Specify measures taken for vulnerable or marginalized communities Unknown Other beneficiaries Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators) Native plant vegetation Endangered species (flora and fauna) Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas) Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification) 4. Governance and financing Governance Governance arrangements Co-governance with government and non-government actors Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative The Nature Conservancy, the City of Orange Beach, Moffatt & Nichol, Olsen Associates Inc, started working together in 2017. Key actors - initiating organization Non-government organisation/civil society Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Local government/municipality Private sector/corporate actor/company Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders) Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping) Deliberative decision-making processes (e.g., consensus building, deliberative polling) Dissemination of information and education Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls) Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting) Co-management/Joint management Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Unknown Land owners Other Please specify other landowner Owned by the state of Alabama Policy drivers NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy Unknown NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan Unknown NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan Yes Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan" The conservation management plan they created together. Relevant strategy or plan Biodiversity strategy or plan Mandatory or voluntary intervention Voluntary (spontaneous) Enablers & Barriers Type of enablers Unknown Governace and decison-making instruments Legislative and regulatory instruments (e.g. laws, strategies, regulations or restrictions) Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans) Joint regional planning between municipalities (e.g. inter-municipal exchange platforms, regional plans for environmental management) Economic and fiscal instruments (e.g. subsidies or grants, charges or fees, payments for ecosystem services (PES)) Arrangements for governance cooperation Formal coordination mechanisms to oversee project implementation and decision-making (e.g., multi-stakeholder steering committees, working groups) Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) or agreements (e.g. among local governance and other actors outlining project roles and responsibilities of project implementation) Task forces or commissions (e.g. group of multi-disciplinary experts) Information-sharing platforms or networks (e.g. websites for sharing best practices, data or resources pertinent to the project) Barriers E.g. the transplanting of seagrass Financing Total cost More than €4,000,000 Please specify total cost (EUR) Unknown What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements? Unknown Source(s) of funding Public national budget Type of fund(s) used Earmarked public budget Non-financial contribution Yes Who provided the non-financial contribution? Citizens (e.g. volunteering) Type of non-financial contribution Provision of labour Co-finance for NBS Yes Co-governance arrangement A fund / grant Entrepreneurship opportunities Unknown Business models Business models Risk reduction model Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Climate change Storm / wave induced erosion and flooding Expected storm / wave induced erosion and flooding Enhanced protection against extreme weather events (e.g. storms, cyclones, tidal surges, coastal erosion) Expected enhanced protection against extreme weather events (e.g. storms, cyclones, tidal surges, coastal erosion) Environmental quality Improved waste management Expected improved waste management Water management and blue areas Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems Expected enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems Green space and habitat Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems Reduced biodiversity loss Expected reduced biodiversity loss Reduced human-wildlife conflicts Expected reduced human-wildlife conflicts Environmental impact indicators Total area of habitat restored (in ha) 18 acres Economic impacts Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions) Expected increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions) Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation) Expected generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation) More sustainable tourism Expected more sustainable tourism Social and cultural impacts Cultural heritage and sense of place Increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful Expected increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful Increased appreciation for natural spaces Expected increased appreciation for natural spaces Education Increased knowledge of locals about local nature Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature Safety Improved community safety to climate-related hazards Expected improved community safety to climate-related hazards Evidence for use of assessment Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process Yes Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts Non-government organisation/civil society Presence of indicators used in reporting No evidence in public records Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports No evidence in public records Availability of a web-based monitoring tool No evidence in public records Use of GIS in mapping impacts No evidence in public records Cost-benefit analysis Unknown Transparency Meetings with stakeholders’ representatives Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.) Clear communication channels for stakeholders to provide feedback, raise concerns, and ask questions about the project Public disclosure of project funding sources and/or budgets Justice Community satisfaction Unknown Trade-offs & Negative impacts Unknown Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement No initiatives or policies were implemented High-quality & Transformative NBS Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community) No Goal setting and impacts delivery No, project goals were not set, and benefits were not delivered in all 3 key areas. Reaching original project goals Inconclusive as the project is still undergoing implementation, or is still on its planning stages Long-term perspective Yes Cost-effective solutions Unknown Equitable impacts C. Unknown Transformative capacity Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them) Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution) Magnitude of change Transformative: (deep) by focusing on and substantially changing structures, including institutional ones (norms and rules). Application of lessons learned The NBS has informed policy and regulatory processes Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. (n.d.). Lower Perdido Islands. Accessed on May 22, 2025, [Source link] [Archive]; 2. (2025). Robinson and Walker Islands restoration to begin soon at Orange Beach's Perdido Pass. Accessed on May 22, 2025, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. (n.d.). Milestone (M4.1) Naturescapes Case study report Mobile (confidential).; Comments and notes Comments [1] The Nature Conservancy, Lower Perdido Islands. Link: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/lower-perdido-islands/ [2] 2025, Robinson and Walker Islands restoration to begin soon at Orange Beach's Perdido Pass. Link: https://gulfcoastmedia.com/stories/robinson-and-walker-islands-restoration-to-begin-soon-at-orange-beachs-perdido-pass,247980#// [3] Milestone (M4.1) Naturescapes Case study report Mobile (confidential) Public Images Image Lower Perdido Islands Source: Anouk Fransen Image Walker Island before and after restoration Source: Moffatt and Nichol. Link: https://gulfcoastmedia.com/stories/robinson-and-walker-islands-restoration-to-begin-soon-at-orange-beachs-perdido-pass,247980#//
Image Walker Island before and after restoration Source: Moffatt and Nichol. Link: https://gulfcoastmedia.com/stories/robinson-and-walker-islands-restoration-to-begin-soon-at-orange-beachs-perdido-pass,247980#//
