Living Shorelines for Florida

Living Shorelines presents a proven, nature-based approach to coastal management—one that stabilizes shorelines, combats erosion, and strengthens coastal resilience. Focusing on Florida, the state with the longest coastline in the contiguous U.S. and one of the fastest-growing populations, this guide explains how to design and maintain healthy, living shorelines that protect both property and the environment.

This comprehensive resource is ideal for homeowners, contractors, landscape professionals, government officials, and environmental scientists. It provides practical tools to understand Florida’s coastal systems and detailed guidance for planning, permitting, building, planting, and maintaining ecologically sound shoreline protection.

Packed with real-world examples, step-by-step instructions, recommended materials and native plants, and helpful illustrations, Living Shorelines offers a sustainable alternative to traditional seawalls and other hardened structures. As sea-level rise and stronger storms increase coastal vulnerability, this book delivers cost-effective, science-based solutions for Florida’s changing coasts.

By Savanna Barry, Vincent Encomio, Marjorie Shropshire, and Ginny Stibolt. ISBN 9781683405504. Copyright 2025.

From University Press of Florida