Fighting erosion on Long Island with low-tech solutions inspired by nature

MANHASSET, N.Y. – Long Island is on the front line in the battle against climate change, and some residents there are doing what they can to fight it, particularly erosion.

Environmentalist George Thatos, 24, thinks he has some simple, low-tech ways to fight it by taking inspiration from nature itself. 

“Try to help with the ecosystems that I’ve been in love with for my whole life,” George Thatos said. “From the tops of the cliffs, down the bluffs to beach, and into the ocean.” 

Thatos is also an entrepreneur and eco-friendly patent holder. His company, Coastal Technology Corp. develops dune guards, oyster stacking devices and cliff stabilizers. Thatos believes the best defense against erosion – an overwhelming problem on Long Island – is simple, and low-tech. 

Why plants may be better than sea walls to prevent erosion  

“Native grass species have actually evolved over millions of years to stabilize their environment,” Thatos said. 

At Sands Point preserve, Thatos is working to bring them back. As manmade concrete walls crumble, Thatos says there’s better natural protection, including dune grasses, bayberry, beach plum, beach rose. 

“They specifically evolved to grab onto sediments, glue them together with their root systems,” Thatos said. 

The plants reduce runoff, making Long Island Sound ideal for his experimental oyster reefs. 

“These devices are not just for erosion. They are to help integrate human technology with nature,” he said. 

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