Living Shorelines for Florida

A comprehensive resource on ecologically informed shoreline management and its application in Florida

A proven approach to coastal management, “living shorelines” refers to nature-based infrastructure and landscaping that increase shoreline stabilization, mitigate the threats that lead to coastal erosion, and improve coastal resilience. This book explains the concept of living shorelines and how to implement them in Florida—a state with the longest coastline in the contiguous United States and a rapidly increasing population that makes this topic critical. Living Shorelines for Florida is a resource for homeowners, contractors, landscape professionals, government officials, and environmental scientists, providing the tools to understand Florida’s coastal systems as well as guidance to plan, implement, and maintain ecologically sound, dynamic shoreline protection. This book covers the entire process behind successful living shoreline projects, from design, building, planting, and upkeep to permitting. It features real-world examples, step-by-step guides, insider insights, recommended materials and plants, and helpful illustrations. Sea-level rise and severe coastal storms have made coastal erosion a growing concern nationally but perhaps felt most strongly in Florida. As coastal areas become more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, this book offers solutions that are more effective and lower cost than traditional “armored” structures such as seawalls. Anyone involved in managing waterfront property in Florida will find the principles and strategies in this book indispensable.

Author Biography

Savanna Barry is a regional specialized extension agent with Florida Sea Grant and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the Nature Coast Biological Station.

Vincent Encomio is a county extension agent with Florida Sea Grant and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Marjorie Shropshire is a visual artist whose work is deeply concerned with the conservation of Florida’s natural areas. Ginny Stibolt is a botanist, naturalist, and award-winning author or coauthor of six books. Stibolt and Shropshire are coauthors of A Step-by-Step Guide to a Florida Native Yard.