Florida offers many hands-on training programs for anyone interested in protecting and restoring shorelines. Marine contractors can take part in a two-day workshop led by Florida Sea Grant and partners that teaches everything from the basics of living shorelines to plant selection, design, permitting, and monitoring, giving professionals the tools they need to install nature-based shorelines. Homeowners and community members can participate in the Florida Master Naturalist Program, an adult education course offered by the University of Florida that builds knowledge about Florida’s environment and prepares participants to use what they have learned as volunteers, educators, guides, or simply as informed stewards of the coast.
Living Shoreline Training for Marine Contractors Course
This course is a two-day, hands-on course that teaches professionals how to design and build living shorelines in Florida’s estuarine environments. Developed through a multi-agency partnership led by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and now offered by Florida Sea Grant and its partners, the program covers everything from site design and plant selection to permitting, construction, and long-term maintenance. Since starting in 2019, the training has expanded statewide, with courses held regionally across Florida and taught by experts from state and federal agencies, local governments, universities, and non-profits. Contractors who complete the course gain the knowledge and tools they need to confidently and correctly install nature-based shorelines, either on their own or alongside existing structures, such as seawalls. Visit Sea Grant’s website to learn more and find a course happening near you. You can also email your name, contact information, and preferred region to Mandy Sunshine Baily at [email protected] to receive program updates and learn about upcoming events.
The following partners helped to develop the original course curriculum in 2019. Since then, the partnership has expanded to include federal agencies, local governments, universities, and other non-profit organizations.
Florida Master Naturalist Program
The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education program developed by the University of Florida to promote awareness, understanding, and respect for Florida’s natural environments. Through a combination of classroom learning, field trips, and hands-on experience, participants develop knowledge and skills they can apply while acting as educators, citizen scientists, volunteers, or informed stewards of the environment.
Core Courses
Choose from 3 courses: Freshwater Systems, Coastal Systems, and Upland Systems. Each course provides 40 hours of training. Graduates who complete all 3 courses become Certified Florida Master Naturalists and receive a Master Naturalist Pin.
Land Steward Courses
Choose from 4 courses: Conservation Science, Environmental Interpretation, Wildlife Monitoring, and Habitat Evaluation. Each course is 24 hours of training. Graduates who complete all 4 courses are recognized as Florida Master Naturalist Land Stewards.
Restoration Courses
Choose from 4 courses: Coastal Shoreline Restoration, Marine Habitat Restoration, Invasive Plants, and Freshwater Restoration. Each course is 24 hours of training. Graduates who complete all 4 courses earn the title of Restoration Florida Master Naturalist.
Coastal Shoreline Restoration Course
The Coastal Shoreline Restoration Course, part of the FNMP, introduces participants to the importance of natural shorelines and alternatives to seawalls for coastal protection. This 24-hour course blends classroom presentations, hands-on fieldwork, and discussion of oyster reefs, mangroves, and saltmarsh restoration. Open to homeowners, volunteers, and conservation-minded citizens, the course equips participants with practical knowledge and skills to support healthy shorelines. Graduates received a certificate of completion, FMNP patch and pin, and a permanent listing in the FNMP Graduate Database. Learn more about the course on the University of Florida’s website.