Protecting the Bay, One Wave at a Time

At Gold Coast Nature Solutions (GCNS), our mission is to harness the power of nature to protect and restore the Bay. Under our flagship initiative, Operation NitroNix, we’re exploring how oysters can be used to clean our waters, enhance biodiversity, and help build coastal resilience.

Our current focus is on a wave attenuation project for Sausalito, aimed at protecting vulnerable shorelines from erosion and storm surge while fostering healthy marine ecosystems. This effort is still in its early stages, and we’re taking time to study existing models, consult with local experts, and explore creative solutions that could integrate oyster habitats into the design.

Connecting with Coastal Leaders at the NWWN Conference

To help shape this effort, we attended the National Working Waterfront Network (NWWN) Conference in San Diego. We joined to advocate for Sausalito’s working waterfront and to connect with coastal communities across the country that are facing similar challenges.

The conference was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with environmental leaders, engineers, researchers, and community advocates—all working toward more sustainable and resilient shoreline solutions.

Partnering Locally: Laying the Groundwork

As we begin this planning phase, we’re working closely with the City of Sausalito, Galilee Harbor, and other local waterfront stakeholders to discuss how this project might take shape. Our goals include:

• Gathering input on potential designs and implementation strategies.

• Learning from successful wave attenuation models around the U.S.

• Identifying possible pilot sites for testing.

• Exploring monitoring technologies and potential partnerships with local businesses—such as Blue Ocean Gear, whose advanced buoys could provide essential wave data.

This collaborative, locally grounded approach is essential to designing a solution that works for both the shoreline and the communities that call it home.

What’s Next

There’s a lot of work ahead, but we’re energized by the support and conversations happening within our community and beyond. As we continue planning, we’ll be reaching out to more partners, refining our design ideas, and pursuing funding opportunities to help bring this project to life.

If you’d like to get involved, stay informed, or support our mission, we’d love to connect with you. Thanks for being part of this journey toward a cleaner, more resilient Bay.

Jon Borges Speaking at NWWN San Diego 2025