At the center of this initiative is the Natrx Assess platform, which applies artificial intelligence and remote sensing tools to produce high-resolution data on shoreline evolution. Instead of relying on years of field surveys, this system delivers insights on erosion, wetland distribution, and land change patterns in a fraction of the time.
The data generated will help pinpoint where coastal restoration and protection efforts can deliver the highest return—both ecologically and economically. It also introduces new models that estimate carbon storage potential in wetlands and evaluate how strategic restoration can reduce emissions under international REDD+ standards.
The assessment supports smarter allocation of resources by identifying high-priority areas for conservation and resilience investment. A strategic framework will also guide local and state agencies in adapting to long-term coastal change.
Jacob Boyd, Salt Marsh Program Director for the Coastal Federation, noted that having coastwide, actionable data of this kind is a first for North Carolina. “With the results of Natrx’s assessment, we will have the insight needed to direct resources where they will have the greatest impact. This means more effective restoration, stronger protection, and a powerful foundation for future projects along North Carolina’s coast.”
This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Atlantic Conservation Coalition—a regional partnership that includes Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, The Nature Conservancy, the NC Coastal Federation, and more than 18 other organizations. With support from a 2024 EPA grant, the Coalition is focused on safeguarding critical coastal ecosystems like wetlands, peatlands, and forested habitats that play key roles in carbon storage and climate resilience.
Natrx’s involvement fits within its larger Adaptive Infrastructure Platform, which helps both public and private sectors integrate nature-based infrastructure into long-term planning. The Assess platform is the first phase of this approach, offering a scalable solution for ecological analysis and performance-focused restoration design.
According to Natrx CEO Leonard Nelson, the goal is to arm stakeholders with clear, scalable insights that improve planning decisions and reduce guesswork. By combining ecological expertise with AI and advanced imaging, the platform helps bridge the gap between small-scale site studies and broader environmental modeling.
