The University of North Florida (UNF) has been awarded nearly $800,000 by the National Park Service to bolster efforts in restoring coastlines and addressing shoreline erosion at three national parks in Florida and Georgia. The announcement took place at Kingsley Plantation, part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, one of the key project sites.
UNF President Moez Limayem highlighted the significance of the collaboration, stating, “It’s inspiring to see the years of research and dedication from UNF faculty and students come to fruition through this impactful restoration project. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the National Park Service to protect and preserve our coastlines for future generations.”
The initiative is based on research conducted by Dr. Raf Crowley, professor of civil, coastal, and port engineering, and Dr. Kelly Smith, biology associate professor emerita. Their work focuses on deploying Pervious Oyster Shell Habitat (POSH) units to establish living shorelines that restore coastal ecosystems and combat erosion.
Since 2022, over 100 POSH units have been installed at the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. The grant will enable further expansion at Timucuan while also introducing POSH units along the coastlines of Fort Matanzas National Monument and Cumberland Island National Seashore.
Additionally, the funding will support the acquisition of a concrete batch plant to enhance POSH unit production. This equipment will also serve as a resource for UNF faculty and students in advanced manufacturing and material science courses.
Chris Hughes, superintendent of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, emphasized the value of the partnership: “The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve and National Park Service are proud to work with UNF in protecting and enhancing shorelines along the Georgia and Florida coasts. This collaboration safeguards the ecological services, natural resources, and recreational opportunities that our shorelines provide.”
Shoreline erosion is a critical concern in Florida and Georgia, exacerbated by the loss of natural oyster reefs due to overharvesting and environmental changes. Oyster reefs play a vital role in shoreline stabilization, nutrient filtration, and providing habitats for marine life.
Early results from POSH deployments at Kingsley Plantation show the structures effectively reduce wave energy, trap sediment, encourage shoreline buildup, and recruit oysters more efficiently than comparable systems. Importantly, these units achieve their goals without relying on environmentally damaging plastics.
UNF students will be actively involved in constructing and deploying the new POSH modules, gaining hands-on experience in conservation efforts. The university also plans to host workshops on POSH unit assembly, inviting community organizations and the public to participate in living shoreline installations, further fostering engagement and environmental stewardship.
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