A new article in Biz New Orleans spotlights a large-scale artificial reef installation in Cocodrie, Louisiana. The project brings together CCA Louisiana, Chevron, Danos, and Natrx in a high-impact collaboration that delivers real habitat and community benefit.
Over 300 custom Natrx ExoForms™ were installed to expand oyster reef habitat and support recreational fishing access. With each unit offering 19 square feet of surface area, the project added a total of 6,460 square feet of new habitat.
Natrx ExoForms were selected for their:
Shallow-water performance and low profile, critical for the site’s 1.5-foot vertical constraint
Fast and safe installation with minimal equipment
Habitat-positive design that supports long-term ecological function
These are the kinds of projects that define where nature-based infrastructure is headed. Real-world, performance-driven, and built in collaboration with forward-looking partners.
Interest in nature-based shoreline protection is surging—and Lockport, Louisiana, is at the center of the movement. The recent installation of a living shoreline at Lockport Bayouside Park, using Natrx’s “Cajun Coral” ExoForms™, has sparked headlines and conversations across the coast.
The project, completed in partnership with Danos and AIM Engineering, is already making waves—literally and figuratively. Funded through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) and led by the Lafourche Parish Office of Coastal Zone Management, the effort deployed over 800 feet of wave-dampening, habitat-positive infrastructure.
As Parish President Archie Chaisson III said in a statement to the press: “This was a special day for us and our Office of Coastal Zone Management as we installed our first Living Shoreline with our Partners at Danos and Natrx. By utilizing our GOMESA funding we are able to install 826 feet of the Cajun Coral units along Company Canal at the Bayouside Park. Once complete, this project will offer erosion protection and create a new marine wildlife habitat.”
This project is a local success story powered by local leadership. It exemplifies how public-private partnerships—backed by regional expertise and cutting-edge innovation—can deliver fast, efficient, and ecologically beneficial shoreline solutions.
Big thanks to our partners at Danos for bringing operational excellence to the installation and to AIM Engineering for their critical role in design and planning. And above all, thanks to the Lafourche Parish Government for championing this bold, Louisiana-grown approach to resilience.
Read the full story in Biz New Orleans and see how “Cajun Coral” is redefining what’s possible for our coastlines.
This Memorial Day, we’re reflecting on a project that carries deep meaning and a powerful sense of purpose. While our mission at Natrx is focused on coastal resilience and habitat restoration, we’re honored when that work intersects with something as profoundly human as remembrance.
In collaboration with Veterans Memorial Reef (VMR), we had the privilege of designing custom ExoForms™ to help memorialize 10 U.S. veterans as part of a living reef off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina. Each ExoForm serves as a permanent, personalized marker, containing the veteran’s cremated remains and becoming part of a thriving marine habitat. Each also includes a plaque inscribed with the veteran’s service details, a tribute that will face the morning sunrise each day beneath the sea.
This initiative addresses a growing challenge: limited space in federal cemeteries. Families who choose VMR’s services receive the full dignity of a military burial, including honor guards, taps, and ceremonial support, before joining a boat-led ceremony to witness the placement of their loved one’s memorial at sea. These tributes are now part of an expanding artificial reef at a site known as AR372, or Five-Mile Boxcar Reef.
At the core of this project are Natrx ExoForms™: habitat-specific, eco-positive reef modules that provide resilience and restoration by supporting natural habitat growth. Created using our patented Dry Forming™ process, these structures were precisely tailored for this meaningful application. Because Dry Forming allows us to move rapidly from design to deployment, we were able to deliver quickly and respectfully in support of VMR’s ceremonial timeline.
Beyond honoring service, these reef markers contribute to long-term environmental impact—supporting the growth of healthy habitat that filters water, increases biodiversity, and reinforces coastal resilience. It’s a rare privilege for our technology to serve both emotional and ecological purposes in a single project.
We thank the families, Veterans Memorial Reef, and the broader community for allowing us to support this powerful initiative. We’re proud to continue working with VMR to expand this program and help more families honor their loved ones in a way that fosters both legacy and life.
On April 30, Natrx hosted an inspiring and energizing tour of our Resilience Center of Excellence in Amelia, Louisiana—bringing together a powerhouse group of leaders across government, conservation, and economic development. The event offered a firsthand look at how innovation rooted in Louisiana is being scaled globally to address some of the most urgent challenges facing coastal communities.
We were honored to welcome regional changemakers including Terrebonne Parish President Jason Bergeron, Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson, representatives from the Pontchartrain Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and othersr who are actively shaping the future of coastal protection in Louisiana and beyond. Their presence is a testament to the growing recognition that nature-based infrastructure is not just the future—it’s happening now.
Louisiana Innovation, Global Impact
The Amelia facility—now doubled in size since the beginning of
2024—is the production home of our patented ExoForms™, which form a physical backbone of the Natrx platform. These modular, high-performance structures are designed to harness natural systems for erosion control, storm protection, and habitat restoration. Nicknamed “Cajun Coral,” ExoForms are engineered to integrate seamlessly with the marine environment, building resilience that actually grows stronger over time.
And unlike conventional approaches that rely on massive quantities of imported rock and heavy equipment, Natrx solutions:
Use up to 90% less material
Are 70% faster to install
Provide up to 4x the ecological surface area for marine habitat
Can be installed in shallow, sensitive, or hard-to-reach environments
Keep jobs, materials, and manufacturing right here in Louisiana
A Platform for Action
What sets Natrx apart is our integrated, end-to-end approach. The Natrx Platform includes:
Assess – AI-powered remote sensing software that identifies resilience risks and plans smarter interventions—no field visits required.
Address – Project-specific infrastructure designed and manufactured using our patented DryForming™ technology.
Appraise – Ongoing monitoring, biodiversity tracking, and performance reporting that ensures long-term ecological and permitting success.
Together, these services deliver a full spectrum of planning, implementation, and accountability—helping our partners go from insight to impact, faster.
Momentum Through Partnership
More than anything, this visit reaffirmed a powerful truth: real resilience is collaborative.
We're proud to have hosted such an impressive group, and even more proud of what it represents: forward-thinking leaders who are ready to accelerate better ways to protect our communities and coasts. Every visit like this strengthens the movement we’re building—a future where resilience is smarter, more sustainable, and more accessible than ever before.
ExoForm Living Shoreline on Shamrock Island Featured by KIII News and NPR’s KEDT
We’re thrilled to share one of our most exciting milestones yet: one of our first projects in Texas is now live on Shamrock Island, and it’s already making waves—literally and in the media.
This project is a great representation of our approach: deploying technology-first, nature-based solutions to deliver fast, habitat-positive coastal resilience where it matters most. Shamrock Island, located just offshore from Mustang Island in Corpus Christi Bay, is one of the most important bird nesting islands on the Texas coast. But until now, it was losing as much as 14 feet of shoreline every year—a pace that threatened the future of this critical rookery.
That’s where Natrx stepped in.
Photos By Coast & Harbor Engineering, Inc.
Working with our incredible partners—The Nature Conservancy (who funded the project), Coast & Harbor Engineering, and Viking Dredging—we designed and deployed a high-performance living shoreline using 468 custom ExoForms™. These modular, 3D-printed concrete structures were made in Louisiana using our patented Dry Forming™ process, then transported and installed along the shoreline in a rapid, low-impact deployment.
Each ExoForm was tailored to meet the unique environmental and wave conditions of Shamrock Island. We used a custom closed-back Lattice design to promote sand retention, break wave energy, and foster rapid colonization by oysters and other marine life. The result is a low-profile breakwater that mimics a submerged sandbar—softening waves, trapping sediment, and helping restore the beach naturally.
“We’re not just putting something in place to slow erosion,” said Leonard Nelson, Natrx CEO. “We’re building something that gets stronger and more alive over time.”
And the broader community is taking notice.
Photos By Coast & Harbor Engineering, Inc.
This project was recently featured on KIII-TV (story here) in Corpus Christi and on NPR station KEDT FM (story here). The stories highlight how nature and innovation can work together to protect vital coastal habitats while creating living systems that the public can be proud of.
As Tyler Ortego, Natrx GM of Coastal Solutions, shared:
“When you work with nature, she’ll work with you. These aren’t just structures—they’re starting points for ecosystems.”
This project proves what we’ve always known: nature-based solutions are not only viable—they're scalable, efficient, and increasingly essential. From our origins in Louisiana to this new work in Texas, Natrx is showing how a smarter, faster, more ecological approach to shoreline protection can truly reshape what’s possible.
We're honored to be featured in a new film series by LOUISIANA INNOVATION, a new division of Louisiana Economic Development (LED), which highlights innovative businesses making an impact in the state. Alongside this exciting recognition, Biz New Orleans has covered our work, showcasing Natrx as a leader in nature-based coastal resilience solutions.
Showcasing Coastal Innovation
At Louisiana Innovation Day, held in conjunction with Super Bowl LIX, LED spotlighted companies that exemplify Louisiana’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to sustainable progress. As part of this initiative, Natrx was selected for a feature film that showcases our journey—from early research at Louisiana State University to the development of our ExoForms™ technology and the establishment of our manufacturing facility in Amelia, Louisiana.
Our work has always been rooted in a mission to protect and restore coastal environments through cutting-edge, habitat-positive solutions. The LED film captures how our Dry Forming™ technology reshapes shoreline protection by creating adaptable, eco-positive infrastructure that grows stronger over time.
A Spotlight in Biz New Orleans
This recognition was further amplified by Biz New Orleans, which covered our participation in the LED initiative and highlighted how Natrx contributes to Louisiana’s thriving innovation landscape. The article details our role in providing sustainable solutions to combat erosion, protect communities, and restore marine habitats—not just in Louisiana, but across the U.S. and beyond.
Watch the Film Series
We're incredibly proud to be part of this initiative and to represent Louisiana’s commitment to coastal resilience and environmental stewardship. You can watch the LED film series featuring Natrx here: LA.IO
This recognition reinforces our belief that nature-based solutions are the future of infrastructure resilience. We’re grateful to our partners, clients, and supporters who help make this possible.
Follow our journey and stay updated on the latest innovations in coastal resilience by connecting with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
At Natrx, we believe that innovation and nature-based solutions can work hand in hand to restore and protect our coastlines. That’s why we’re honored to be a part of REEFrame, a groundbreaking coral reef restoration project off Waikīkī Beach, Hawai‘i.
Led by Conservation International Hawai‘i and supported by a $9M grant from NOAA, REEFrame is an ambitious initiative designed to restore degraded coral reefs, enhance marine biodiversity, and strengthen coastal resilience in one of the world’s most iconic locations. Through cutting-edge engineering, community collaboration, and respect for Indigenous stewardship, REEFrame represents a powerful step forward in ocean restoration.
Why Waikīkī?
Once a thriving marine ecosystem, the coral reefs of Waikīkī have suffered severe degradation due to urbanization, pollution, climate change, and rising ocean temperatures. Healthy reefs play a vital role in protecting coastlines, providing habitat for marine life, and supporting local communities. Without intervention, these fragile ecosystems face further decline.
REEFrame aims to reverse this trend by building two permanent coral nurseries on the seafloor, about three-quarters of a mile offshore. These structures, constructed from innovative 3D-printed reef modules, will create a foundation for coral growth while attracting essential marine species like parrotfish that help maintain a healthy reef ecosystem.
How Natrx is Contributing
Natrx specializes in adaptive infrastructure solutions that blend technology with nature to enhance coastal resilience. For REEFrame, we’re bringing our advanced DryForming™ technology, a sustainable 3D printing method that creates complex reef structures out of natural materials. These modules are designed to:
Mimic natural reef formations, providing ideal habitats for coral and marine life
Support "corals of opportunity," which are living coral fragments salvaged from disturbances and nurtured in the nurseries
Encourage natural coral settlement, gradually transforming into thriving reef ecosystems
Withstand extreme ocean conditions, ensuring long-term stability and resilience
By leveraging this technology, we’re proud to help accelerate coral restoration and showcase how science and engineering can work together to rebuild our natural world.
A Collaborative Effort
REEFrame is a testament to what’s possible when diverse expertise comes together with a shared vision. Alongside Natrx, this project brings together:
Conservation International Hawai‘i – Leading project coordination and community engagement
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Providing scientific leadership in coral restoration
Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources – Ensuring regulatory compliance and conservation strategy
Oceanit – Delivering marine engineering expertise
ClimbHI – Engaging local communities and workforce development initiatives
NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation – Supporting technical and environmental compliance
Restoration Rooted in Culture and Community
Beyond its ecological impact, REEFrame is deeply connected to the cultural heritage and traditions of Hawai‘i. The project embraces the Hawaiian value of kuleana (responsibility) and follows the guiding principle e hāpai wa‘a kākou—"if we all help to lift and carry the canoe, we can move it forward." By integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern science, REEFrame ensures that restoration efforts honor the past while securing the future of Hawai‘i’s ocean resources.
Looking Ahead
The REEFrame project is set to run through 2026, with construction expected to begin in 2025 following environmental studies and permitting. Once deployed, the reef nurseries will become a permanent, self-sustaining habitat—a living example of what’s possible when technology, conservation, and community come together.
At Natrx, we’re proud to bring our expertise to this transformative initiative. Seeing our work extend from the coasts of North Carolina and Louisiana all the way to Hawai‘i underscores the power of scalable, nature-based solutions.
Stay tuned as we continue to share updates on this incredible journey. Together, we’re helping to restore reefs, protect coastlines, and build a more resilient future for our oceans.
Following the massive interest in the Hotel Sid artificial reef project we recently worked on, Louisiana Public Broadcasting's Karen LeBlanc wanted to know more about what makes this project so innovative.
Here, Karen goes behind the scenes with Natrx CEO Leonard Nelson and Danos Ventures CEO Eric Danos to get an up-close look at how ExoForms are created and what makes them a higher-performance, more cost-effective solution than the traditional methods for creating artificial reefs of the past.
Building healthy new ecosystems requires a positive partnership ecosystem. A new artificial reef installed on September 14th in Barataria Bay is the result of an inspiring collaboration between partners, including CCA of Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Shell, Danos, our ExoForm technology, and, very notably, the generous sponsorship of Raising Cane’s.
We had a great turnout to see the ExoForms that will form the nature-based infrastructure of this nearly 10,000-square-foot artificial reef go into the water (each one in under 2 minutes!), and we can look forward to the Raising Cane's Hotel Sid reef becoming a thriving marine ecosystem and a hotspot for the Grand Isle fishing community. Big thanks and congratulations to all of our partners.
Read the story and watch video below: NOLA.com | WGNO
KATC News was out with us on a recent installation of Natrx ExoForms™ to help build back a healthy and vibrant food chain at a popular fishing location.
Our ExoForms are at the center of this habitat restoration project. ExoForms provide a stable and rough surface for base marine organisms to attach to and make home, helping restore the lost food chain from the bottom up. Healthy natural systems are resilient systems that provide a whole list of ecological benefits including cleaner water, increased biodiversity, and increased storm resilience.
At the core of this project are Natrx ExoForms™: habitat-specific, eco-positive reef modules that provide resilience and restoration by supporting natural habitat growth. Created using our patented Dry Forming™ process, these structures were precisely tailored for this meaningful application. Because Dry Forming allows us to move rapidly from design to deployment, we were able to deliver quickly and respectfully in support of VMR’s ceremonial timeline.
