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A recent article titled “Study Reveals Growing Interest In Natural Shorelines,” published by the University of Florida/IFAS and penned by Megan Winslow, caught the eye of Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys, Inc. In approximately 2015, the Alachua County Trust identified several beaches in the State of Florida as suitable locations for pilot programs to build natural shorelines. One of those beaches was here in the Florida Keys, Long Beach on Big Pine Key!
Story link HERE: Living Shorelines
During the time Long Beach was in the pilot program, multiple landowners (both private and municipal) signed on for 100% natural shoreline building. If a segment was hardened in any way or had any structure on it (for example, a pier, observation deck, rocks, or armoring), the property was not eligible. During the approximately six years the program was in effect, Long Beach received funding both from owners and from the Trust for dune building and natural plants. Save-A-Turtle’s past president, Harry Appel, applied for and received DEP permits for the project and volunteered his time and equipment to build the dunes for the duration of the Long Beach project. Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys had volunteer beach walkers, members, and other community partners come to the eligible properties throughout the years to assist with sea oat plantings as dunes were completed.
During the pilot program, Long Beach was catastrophically impacted by Hurricane Irma (2017) and again took a moderate hit in 2022 from Hurricane Ian. Although the dunes and all vegetation were lost in 2017, several participating properties were saved from destruction partly because of the natural dune system. Properties without a natural dune system were far more severely affected.
After each storm, the dunes and plantings were slowly rebuilt until the funding from the pilot program ran out, and the program concluded and closed in early 2024.
Save-A-Turtle is a strong supporter of natural shorelines. Armoring, hardening, and structures on beaches are a deterrent to sea turtle nesting as well as hazards to other marine and shore life dependent upon natural coastlines. It’s great to finally see some change in the approach to shorelines. Even after years of legal wrangling with some property owners fighting to block natural hardening and continue artificial hardening and armoring in the Keys, things are moving slowly in a better direction. Save-A-Turtle works very hard to educate municipalities, lawmakers, officials, and the public at large regarding laws and codes on the books to protect natural shorelines and nesting habitats. We will continue to follow the progress of natural shoreline hardening and strongly hope the move in this direction speeds up and everyone realizes why natural is the way to go.
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