Fighting coastal erosion with nature-based shoreline solutions - Land-Grant Impacts

aerial view of an agent planting seagrass

Fighting coastal erosion with nature-based shoreline solutions

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2026, Community Development/Engagement, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Florida, Southern, University of Florida, Water Resilience/Management, Wildlife

More than half of Florida’s waterfront property owners have constructed seawalls and bulkheads to protect against erosion and flooding. These armored shorelines provide some protection but are known to fail during extreme weather events and can disrupt waterflow as well as interfere with marine life.

Extension agents with the University of Florida and the Florida Sea Grant developed two multi-day courses on coastal protection alternatives for marine contractors and homeowners. Participants learned how to implement living shorelines with natural materials including plants, rocks and oyster shells that still guard against threats of flooding and erosion without disrupting waterflow and marine life. Compared to armored shorelines, these environmentally friendly solutions can also be constructed for a fraction of the cost.

Nearly 60% of the marine contractor participants who learned about plant selection, permitting and shoreline installation in the program indicated that they would definitely or likely add living shoreline installation to their suite of services. By raising awareness and inspiring homeowners to adopt these cost-effective natural solutions and providing expert training in how to implement them, these educational programs are helping to promote environmental stewardship and protect marine life for Florida’s coasts.

View the full statement on the NIDB.

University of Florida / IFAS Extension | Project supported by USDA Capacity – Extension; state appropriations. Photo courtesy of UF/IFAS.

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