The Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) is pleased to announce applications are open for the Living Shoreline Assistance Program in the Pensacola Bay Watershed.
Interested commercial or residential property owners, neighborhood associations, and community groups are invited to attend an Open House on March 19th from 2:00-8:00pm at the Bagdad Community Center (6872 Pooley St, Milton FL 32583) to learn more about the program, meet with staff to discuss their shoreline, and schedule a site assessment.
Interested property owners can find more information on eligibility and application details at ppbep.org/livingshorelines.
Across the Pensacola and Perdido Bay Watersheds, coastlines are threatened by erosion and shoreline hardening, impacting both coastal residents and our local waters.
A “living shoreline” is a nature-based approach to protecting coastal shorelines that uses natural or nature-inspired materials to stabilize shorelines while maintaining ecological function. Living shorelines may include native vegetation, oyster shell, or other natural features, and in some cases incorporate limited structural elements such as rock or reef materials to enhance stability where site conditions require it. These approaches reduce erosion, provide habitat for wildlife, and improve water quality.
While bulkheads and other “hard” structures have been traditional solutions for erosion, living shorelines are more effective, sustainable, and typically more cost-efficient over time. They better withstand storms and provide added benefits like flood mitigation, shoreline stabilization, and habitat creation.
Increased shoreline hardening has dramatically altered the Pensacola and Perdido Bay Watersheds, with roughly 55% of Pensacola Bay and 27% of Perdido Bay shorelines now hardened. Through this Program, PPBEP aims to reduce additional shoreline hardening across the bays and promote the use of living shorelines.
The PPBEP Living Shoreline Assistance Program empowers coastal property owners to implement a living shoreline to benefit both their property and our local waters. Program assistance includes technical resources, expert design guidance, help navigating the permitting process, and financial assistance to make projects more affordable. Through the Living Shoreline Assistance Program, PPBEP aims to restore residents’ connection to their coastline.
The Living Shoreline Assistance Program is made possible with funding through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
