People who own waterfront property often have to deal with the loss of their property to shoreline erosion, and it can cost big bucks to reinforce scarped and eroded shorelines with rock or bulkheads or offshore breakwaters.

John and Tina McCloud of North, chose to preserve their shoreline the natural way and, in doing so, they’ve not only restored a lush stand of wetland grasses but also have saved themselves a bit of money.

Long-time residents of a small subdivision on the North River, the McClouds several years ago purchased 10 acres of woodland adjacent to their home site. The shoreline of the parcel juts out into the little cove that the McClouds share with several other property owners, and it’s directly opposite the opening into the cove off the North River.

Wind from the long fetch in front of the shoreline creates wave action along the shore in spite of a vegetated sandbar about 200 feet away. That wave action, coupled with runoff from the clear-cutting of...