Perdido Bay Estuary Living Shoreline Program open house May 1

Perdido Bay Estuary Living Shoreline Program open house May 1

Interested commercial or residential property owners, neighborhood associations, and community groups are invited to attend an open house to learn more about the Perdido Bay Estuary Living Shoreline Assistance Program at an open house on May 1 from 2-8 p.m. at the Perdido Key Visitor Center’s community room (15500 Perdido Key Dr.). More info: ppbep.org.
The program was formed to help waterfront property owners and community groups address shoreline erosion in the Pensacola and Perdido Bay watersheds.
A living shoreline is a nature-based approach to protecting coastal shorelines. Living shorelines use elements like native plants or oyster shell to keep shorelines stable while replicating natural shoreline ecosystems. Hybrid shorelines are also used, blending natural elements with non-living materials like rocks or artificial oyster reefs when needed. Both living and hybrid shorelines help prevent erosion, create 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.
Across the Pensacola and Perdido Bay Watersheds, coastlines are threatened by erosion and shoreline hardening, impacting both coastal residents and our local waters. 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 and promote the use of living shorelines.
The Living Shoreline Assistance Program is made possible with funding through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The mission of the Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program is to restore and protect the Pensacola and Perdido Bay watersheds through restoration, education, and unbiased monitoring of the health of our bays, estuaries, and watersheds. It serves as a trusted source for residents, businesses, industry, and the community on issues relating to preserving, restoring, improving, and maintaining the natural habitat and ecosystem of the bays, estuaries, and watersheds of Pensacola and Perdido Bays.