Partnerships Advance Effort to Save Tangier Island From Rising Seas and Erosion

TANGIER, Va. — Federal, state, and local officials joined conservation leaders on Tangier Island this week to advance efforts aimed at protecting one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most vulnerable communities from erosion, sea level rise, and increasingly powerful storms.

Representatives from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), government agencies, and regional partners toured rapidly eroding shorelines around Tangier and nearby Port Isobel Island, highlighting the urgent need for action on an island that has lost approximately two-thirds of its land mass since 1850.

Officials said the work underway on Tangier could become a national model for helping coastal communities adapt to climate-related challenges through a combination of habitat restoration, shoreline protection, and nature-based solutions.

“Time is running out for Tangier Island,” said CBF President and CEO Hilary Harp Falk. “The good news is that we have the partnerships, the initial investments, and the momentum needed to restore its shorelines, rebuild its habitat, and protect its community for the next generation.”

During meetings on the island, partners discussed ongoing shoreline and oyster restoration efforts led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as proposals to use dredged material to rebuild land lost to the Chesapeake Bay. Other protective measures under consideration include seawalls and additional shoreline stabilization projects.

At the request of the Town of Tangier, CBF is administering a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to develop a comprehensive shoreline adaptation plan. The plan, expected to be completed later this year, will outline strategies to address coastal erosion, storm impacts, and long-term sea level rise while helping the island qualify for future state and federal resilience funding.

The effort is supported through a partnership between CBF and Old Dominion University’s Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience, with additional involvement from Accomack County, the Army Corps of Engineers, and state and federal officials.

Tangier Mayor James “Ooker” Eskridge said the community remains committed to preserving the island’s future.

“We’re committed to saving our people and way of life here,” Eskridge said. “Whatever works to save Tangier for future generations, I’m for.”

Officials identified several next steps, including securing funding for engineering and permitting work, beginning implementation of priority restoration projects, and sharing project findings with other coastal communities facing similar threats.

CBF leaders said Tangier’s challenges extend beyond the Chesapeake Bay and offer lessons for coastal communities nationwide.

“Tangier isn’t just a Chesapeake Bay story,” Falk said. “It’s a preview of challenges facing coastal communities around the globe. Success here will not only help ensure Tangier’s culture and way of life can endure, but also provide a model of what’s possible when communities, governments, and conservation partners work hand in hand.”

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