Rebirth of Bald Cypress: Uniting Restoration & Community Rejuvenation
Honor Award
General Design
Leland, North Carolina, United States
Tianqi Wang, Student International ASLA;
Yunying Ji, Student International ASLA;
Shiyu Wang, Student International ASLA;
Weize Sun, Student International ASLA;
Shi Chen;
Xinxin Wan, Student International ASLA;
Faculty Advisors:
Jun Zhai, ASLA;
Xiangdong Xiao;
Soochow University
Excellent project! Tremendous thought and implementation of various strategies to protect the community and the ecosystem!! A true example of visionary landscape architecture! Ambitious compelling design that considers all stages of landscape restoration leading to community redevelopment. Great understanding and depiction of cypress ecology, storm processes, and interweaving of local culture. The configuration of the estuary seems truly innovative and responsive to coastal geomorphology and physics. Master plan and site vignettes follow suit from ecological.
- 2024 Awards Jury
Project Statement
Jackeys Creek, a heavily impacted stream by saltwater intrusion in North Carolina's Cape Fear River estuary, has extensive ghost forests that no longer provide storm surge protection, putting surrounding communities at risk. The project begins by establishing saline retention zones at the entrance of Jackeys Creek through hydrological modeling and implementing engineering measures to mitigate soil alkalization for coastal soil improvement. A temporary protective perimeter is established between the existing forest and ghost forests, utilizing dead cypress trees and a range of plant measures to facilitate regeneration. This comprehensive approach aims to create a complete storm surge defense system along the Jackeys Creek coast.
Project Narrative
Project Background:
Saltwater intrusion has caused significant forest mortality along the Atlantic coast of North Carolina. Jackeys Creek, located in Leland, has experienced destruction of its cypress forests due to urban development. Subsequent storm surges have further devastated the forests, creating a destructive cycle. The combined effects of storm surges and saltwater intrusion have led to the formation of extensive ghost forests, posing a growing threat to nearby vulnerable communities.
Early-stage Strategies:
Strategy A: Saline Retention Zones
Hydrological simulations design saline retention zones at Jackeys Creek's entrance, controlling saltwater intrusion, erosion, and facilitating habitat restoration. These zones also mitigate coastal flood risks.
Strategy B: Temporary Protective Perimeter
A temporary protective perimeter integrates temporary and later-stage vegetation, creating a pathway for exploring the natural landscape. Organic materials facilitate the gradual integration of the pathway into the ecosystem.
Late-stage Strategies:
Strategy A: Soil Improvement
Soil restoration involves subsoil and topsoil improvement. Subsoil treatment reduces pollutant levels, while incorporating organic materials enhances topsoil fertility. Planting trials ensure soil suitability for agriculture and ecological restoration.
Strategy B: Expanding Ecological Niches
Fast-growing herbaceous communities protect bald cypress saplings from storm surges. Selective plantings diversify the cypress forest, creating a stable ecosystem and reducing storm surge threats.
Strategy C: Christmas in a Natural Setting
Community activity areas are designed at the interface between the community and ghost forests, integrating Christmas celebrations while raising awareness about the impact of the Christmas tree industry on natural habitats.
Common Strategies:
Strategy A: Repurposing Dead Cypress Trees
Preserved dead cypress trees are repurposed for ecological revetments. Christmas tree recycling becomes a post-Christmas activity, involving families in creating personalized tree stumps as part of the site.
Strategy B: Employment Opportunities
During restoration, job opportunities are provided to the community. As the cypress forest regenerates, workers transition to managing community activity areas, ensuring project sustainability.
Plant List:
- Alnus serrulata
- Acer rubrum
- American beech
- Black oak
- Black willow
- Butterfly weed
- Betula papyrifera
- Camomile
- Ceanothus americanus
- California bulrush
- Chrysogonum virginianum
- Chionanthus virginicus
- Eastern red cedar
- Eastern cottonwood
- Forsythia
- Hibiscus moscheutos
- Honeysuckle
- Iris versicolor
- Juncus effusus
- Lavender
- Liatris spicata
- Maryland golden-aster
- Malus 'Red Jade'
- Oregano
- Pickerelweed
- Pycnanthemum virginianum
- Purple coneflower
- Rosa carolina
- Rosa palustris
- Seaside goldenrod
- Saltmeadow cordgrass
- Slash pine
- Southern cattail
- Shagbark Hickory
- Softstem bulrush
- Tagetes
- Tussock sedge
- Vetiver Grass
- White sagebrush