The Emerald Tutu

The Emerald Tutu has learned many lessons from navigating the complex, often burdensome permitting process for nature-based infrastructure projects. Drawing from hands-on experience in multiple municipalities, we highlight the local, relationship-based nature of permitting, the structural barriers posed by outdated regulations, and recent policy shifts aimed at streamlining restoration-focused work. We also highlight our funding…

Gabriel Cira Project Lead Gabriel is a licensed architect based in Massachusetts. He has brought this project from the initial idea through multiple awards and grants to its present funded R&D activities and strong community links. Gabriel is active in local politics and advocacy in the Boston area, including the discourse on city-wide adaptation to…

The Emerald Tutu is a grant-funded research group working to design and implement biomass-based coastal protection/restoration infrastructure. Much of our current work, experimental deployment areas, and community connections are in East Boston, Massachusetts—but the techniques we’re developing are widely applicable to coastal areas where our dominant plant species, Spartina alterniflora a.k.a. common saltmarsh grass or…

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Nature Based Infrastructure for Coastal Resiliency

Nature Based Infrastructure for Coastal Resiliency