Florida's Living Shorelines Training Program for Marine Contractors
Purpose:
To increase the number of professionals (marine contractors, environmental consultants, landscape designers and installers, land planners and managers) who can assess dynamic eroding shorelines and provide solutions featuring nature-based features, where feasible, to make living shorelines a more accessible option to the public for shoreline stabilization.
What is it?
A 2-day, interactive course developed by a multi-institutional team and offered throughout Florida. After the course, participants will be able to 1) Communicate to homeowners the benefits and relative costs of shoreline stabilization options; 2) Perform a site assessment, evaluate design options, and navigate the permitting process; 3) Implement a living shoreline project with vegetation and/or breakwater materials; and 4) Follow up, evaluate, and provide homeowners with maintenance and monitoring information. The course includes lecture material, a workbook, videos, group exercises, field trips, and an exam. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), the Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscaping Association (FNGLA), and the Southeast Ecological Restoration Society (SEERS) are offered to professionals who complete the training.
When and Where is Living Shoreline Training Offered?
Fall 2024 and 2025 locations will be confirmed in Summer 2024. Please contact Florida Sea Grant Living Shoreline Program Coordinator Mandy Baily at mbaily@ufl.edu for more information on upcoming courses.
Previous Course Locations 2024
Sun Coast: Tampa Bay (Palmetto, Manatee County), May
Forgotten Coast (East Point, Franklin County), April
Central Indian River Lagoon (Vero Beach, Indian River County), March
Miami (Coconut Grove, Miami-Dade County), February
Previous Course Locations 2023
Sun Coast: Pinellas (Tarpon Springs, Pinellas County), November
Treasure and Golden Coasts (Jensen Beach, Martin County), October
Collier and Lee Counties (Naples, Collier County), October
First Coast: North Jacksonville (Duval County), September
Flagler (Bunnell, Flagler County), May
Sarasota (Sarasota County), April
NW Panhandle (Milton, Santa Rose County), March
North Indian River Lagoon (Cocoa, Brevard County), February
