Florida and The Southeast Living Shoreline Courses, Workshops, and Resources

A two-day, interactive course hosted by Florida Sea Grant and partners that is offered in various locations across Florida. This training takes a deep dive into living shoreline installations in estuarine (brackish) ecosystems. From the basics of what constitutes a living shoreline to plant selection to design to monitoring to in-depth discussions on the permitting process, this course seeks to equip contractors with the knowledge to move forward on the installation of nature-based shorelines.

Instructors vary from course to course, but typically include Florida Sea Grant, US Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, local government, non-profit organizations, and other local shoreline experts. Efforts are made to invite locally-relevant agencies and organizations that work directly on living shorelines in the region where a course is held.

The course provides: engagement with topic experts and professional presentations, a comprehensive manual, videos, group exercises, field trips, and an exam (for program evaluation purposes). 

Who Is This Course For?

Anyone looking to learn the details of how to permit and install living shorelines in estuarine (brackish) ecosystems. In the past, marine contractors, landscape architects, property owners, local government staff, and other professional consultants have joined us to explore this nature-based solution to improving coastal erosion and water quality.

What Is the Background of This Course?

In 2019, the Living Shoreline Training for Marine Contractors curriculum was released. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) completed their lead in creating a multi-agency curriculum designed to instruct marine contractors in installing living shorelines in the various estuarine (brackish water) ecosystems of Florida. The curriculum helps contractors develop the knowledge needed to design, permit, implement, monitor, and maintain living shorelines for property owners, either alone or in addition to existing seawalls or other structures.

In 2021 and 2022, Florida Sea Grant Agents took the lead in offering this curriculum virtually. The course covered the entire curriculum and included a self-guided shoreline site visit. Contractors, regulatory staff, and other living shoreline practitioners from around the state attended.

In 2023, Florida Sea Grant -through funding awarded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)- began hosting in-person courses statewide. Throughout 2023 and 2024, Florida Sea Grant and its partners hosted 12 Living Shoreline Training courses and a multi-location, one-day Permitting Workshop that included regular instructional, educational, and logistical support from agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers, FDEP Regulatory, local government, non-profit organizations, and private regional experts. For more information on our partnerships, please read: Partners for Living Shorelines: A Thank You to Colleagues and Course Participants – Florida Sea Grant

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 
Living Shoreline Permitting in Florida Workshop July 2023
Main Campus, Gainesville with six satellite locations: NW Panhandle (Fairhope, Alabama), NE (Ponte Vedra Beach), SW (Sarasota), SW (Naples), SE (Stuart), NW Big Bend (Eastpoint)

Which Professionals Have Completed the Living Shoreline for Marine Contractors Course?

All professional contractors, consultants, and landscapers who have completed the course and passed the exam are listed here. The partnering organizations who developed and offer trainings do not endorse or promote any of the contacts listed.

Florida Sea Grant is delighted to have received funding support from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update and expand our living shoreline training program. As we finalize the program’s logistical details during the Fall of 2024, we plan to begin distributing a training events schedule in early 2025. We will continue offering training opportunities throughout the year, including an updated version of the Living Shoreline Training for Marine Contractors Course along with new Living Shoreline Permitting Workshops and Hands-On Living Shoreline Installation Clinics.

If you would like to be added to the Living Shoreline Program Contact List for program updates and upcoming events, please contact the Living Shoreline Program Coordinator, Mandy Sunshine Baily at [email protected] (note: no “e” in Baily). Please include your name, email, phone number, and preferred location(s) or region(s) for attending events in Florida (regions: NW Peninsula/Big Bend, NW Panhandle NE, Central East, SE, Central West, SW).

Florida Master Naturalist Coastal Shoreline Restoration Course

Coastal Shoreline Restoration Course Program Mission & Overview
The mission of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida’s natural world among Florida’s citizens and visitors.

FMNP participants will increase their knowledge of Florida’s natural systems, of the plants and animals that depend upon those systems, and of the role of humankind in shaping our past, of determining our future, and as stewards of the land.

The objective of the Florida Master Naturalist Program is to prepare persons to share their knowledge with others, to act in a positive manner, to help others feel a greater connection to the land/sea and to help others to develop their own personal environmental ethics. We hope to initiate what is for many a life-long process of learning, of observation, and of sharing with others.

Coastal Shoreline Restoration Course Overview
Through classroom, field trip, and practical experience, this course has been established to help participants understand the importance of natural shorelines and alternatives to seawalls for shoreline protection. Whether you are a concerned citizen, owner/manager of shoreline property, or a volunteer helping on a permitted restoration project, the information provided here will aid in understanding the benefits, process, and option of living shorelines as a coastal shoreline restoration approach.

The total training consists of 24 contact hours, the scheduling of which will vary among different instructors. Classroom learning includes 3 presentations with associated discussions and assignments related to: Oyster Reef Restoration, Mangrove Restoration and Salt Marsh Restoration. Outside of the classroom (virtual or in-person), participants will engage in hands-on field activities related to the course units.

By participating in this Restoration Course, you will be initiating or continuing your own personal journey to become a better naturalist, conservationist, educator, natural resource scientist, or citizen steward. And, in doing so, you are entrusted to share the information you gain with others and use the skills you acquire to contribute to conservation education and initiatives.

What will Florida Master Naturalist Program graduates receive?
At the end of the course, student will receive their Certification of Course Completion and be included in the online FMNP Graduate Database. Upon course completion, graduates will also receive the FMNP embroidered patch and course-specific lapel pin.

Note: The FMNP course manual (covering course-specific ecological systems, habitats, plant and animal life, naturalist interpretation, outreach planning, and additional resources and sources of information) becomes the property of the graduate.

This list of training opportunities and resources is meant to provide a starting point for living shoreline resources elsewhere in the Southeast. Please contact individual program coordinators directly for more information and training availability.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division Living Shorelines | Department Of Natural Resources Division

Clemson Cooperative Extension Living Shoreline Training Training & Education Living Shorelines – On Demand – Water Resources

North Carolina Coastal Federation Living Shoreline Academy Living Shorelines Training for Marine Construction Professionals Webinar Series | North Carolina Coastal Federation NC Living Shoreline Academy

Virginia Institute of Marine Science Living Shorelines | Center for Coastal Resources Management | Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Mississippi State University Marine Extension Program Living Shorelines – Coastal and Marine Extension Program