Plants can be obtained as transplants from “borrow sites” or purchased from local nurseries. If possible, purchase plants from a local nursery that does its own propagation from regionally obtained native stock or seed. If utilizing plants from a borrow site, try and select a site that has environmental conditions similar to your property – e.g., within the same bay system. When selecting plants, consult the supplier about whether the plant is appropriate for a saltwater, brackish, or freshwater environment and where in the marsh profile the plant will thrive. Note, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department only allows native plant species to be introduced into state waters.

Coir logs and articulated blocks or mats can often be purchased in bulk from businesses that specialize in landscape supplies and erosion control materials. Stakes and other installation materials will also be necessary. Alternative search terms for coir logs and articulated blocks or mats include “silt snake” and “geogrid” or “geotextile”, respectively.

Note that you might find crushed or pulverized oyster shell for sale more easily than whole oyster shell, but only whole shell is suitable. Oyster shell is not commercially available in Texas and must be acquired from an oyster wholesaler. Unfortunately, bulk suppliers of whole oyster shells are practically absent from Texas. Some Texas coastal organizations have acquired whole oyster shell through recovery of restaurant oyster shell waste. Besides such novel collection methods, the only other potential source would be buying directly from oyster farms. Since oyster farming is not yet well established in Texas as of 2021, Louisiana farms would be the closest sources. These factors make oyster shell an option best suited to larger projects with institutional support and/or ample funding.

Reef balls are designed to provide anchor points for marine organisms to adhere to, turning them into living blocks. Oysters are one of the most prominent and desirable reef ball resident types for living shorelines in the gulf, but barnacles, mussels, algae, and many other types of beneficial life can colonize reef balls. Because their design can vary and site biology is a major factor in determining reef ball design and placement, it is recommended to seek out a specialist reef ball (or reef dome) supplier and/or the guidance of a living shoreline specialist. The expense of shipping and handling of reef balls depends on many factors, and some types will need final assembly at the site of installation.

Sheet pilings can often be acquired from general hardware or landscaping supply vendors near the Texas coast. Although the relatively compact and uniform nature of sheet pile makes it easier to transport, do not forget to factor in the necessary grading, installation, and backfill materials.

Whether the application is installing riprap along sections of shoreline or laying out nearshore breakwaters, the kinds of stone or fragmented concrete needed may be sourced from specialist rock, stone, concrete, and aggregate suppliers, or larger general landscape supply stores. Precast concrete forms may be easier to find from specialty landscape and erosion control material vendors. Using a material type that is sourced from relatively nearby and compatible with the purposes of your project will help keep costs down.