Living Shoreline Training

What Is the Living Shoreline Training for Marine Contractors Course?

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 and others with the knowledge to move forward on the practices of a nature-based shoreline.

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 being 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). 

After the course, participants will be able to:
1) Communicate 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
4) Follow up, evaluate, and provide clients/homeowners with maintenance and monitoring information

Continuing Education (CEU/CE) Credits are currently available from:
Society for Ecological Restoration Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner Program (CERP)
Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA)

More information can be found here.

Who Is This Course For?
Although this course title is training for marine contractors, it is offered to anyone looking to learn the details of how to permit and install living shorelines in estuarine (brackish) ecosystems. In the past, marine contractors, professional engineers, 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. 

Background
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).

When Can I Attend a Training?

The Florida Sea Grant Living Shoreline Program Team is currently busy finalizing funding opportunities that will allow us to offer updated and expanded training opportunities in 2025. As we finalize the program’s logistical details this fall, we plan to begin distribution of our inaugural quarterly newsletter and training events schedule in early 2025. 

If you would like to be added to the Living Shoreline Program Listserv to receive program updates, please contact Living Shoreline Program Coordinator, Mandy Sunshine Baily at mbaily@ufl.edu (note: no “e” in Baily).