What We Do
Restoration that lasts —ecologically, socially, and economically.
Ecosphere Restoration Institute, Inc. brings over 3 decades of experience delivering measurable restoration, stabilizing shorelines, rebuilding wetlands, improving water quality, and restoring ecosystems that protect both people and wildlife.
Transformational Restoration
Ecosphere has led and supported transformational restoration efforts from large-scale mangrove and saltern recovery to living shorelines, revitalized freshwater springs, and wetlands once thought too degraded to recover.
Together, these projects demonstrate what’s possible when sound science, long-term stewardship, and collaborative funding come together.
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We restore shorelines using nature-based approaches that reduce erosion, protect coastal property, and rebuild habitat. Living shorelines are designed to work with natural processes and absorb wave energy while strengthening ecological function over time.
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Healthy underwater habitats are essential to water quality and fisheries. Ecosphere restores seagrass and submerged habitats that stabilize sediments, support marine life, and improve overall ecosystem health.
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Wetlands and freshwater systems are critical to flood protection, water quality, and biodiversity. Ecosphere restores mangroves, salterns, estuaries, springs, and freshwater systems by reviving natural hydrology, improving habitat function, and strengthening resilience across connected watersheds.
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Poor water quality threatens both ecosystems and communities. Ecosphere designs and implements stormwater and water-quality improvements that reduce nutrient pollution, manage runoff, and support healthier downstream habitats.
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Effective restoration doesn’t end at construction. Ecosphere integrates monitoring and management into projects to ensure they perform as intended and continue to improve as conditions change.
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Restoration is strongest when communities are involved. Volunteers, schools, and local partners regularly participate in plantings, cleanups, and stewardship. We pride ourselves on building lasting connections between people and place.
Our Projects
Waterway revitalization, vegetation, and habitat restoration of Tampa’s most celebrated waterway.
Ulele Spring Restoration
Replanting seagrass in targeted Florida waterways to build habitat for fish and shellfish, improve water clarity, stabilize sediments, and provide critical food for Florida’s manatees.
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State Seagrass Initiative
Ecosphere managed removal of invasive vegetation and recontouring of tidal wetlands to serve as fish and wildlife habitat.
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Thomas Tract Restoration
Explore all of our current, completed, and future restoration projects here
Ecosphere Earns Award for Wetlands Restoration
The award recognizes Ecosphere’s collaborative work with Tampa Electric and its impact on habitat and water quality.
Ecosphere Supports Seagrass Resilience Research in Tampa Bay
The project helps identify resilient seagrass populations to guide future restoration and improve long-term ecosystem health.
From big restoration milestones to new partnerships coming together, there’s a lot happening at Ecosphere. We’re excited to share recent highlights with you:
News & Highlights
Although Ecosphere’s roots are firmly planted in Tampa Bay, the organization also engages in regional, national, and global initiatives where shared learning can accelerate restoration outcomes.
Participation in global efforts—such as the Race to Resilience—allows Ecosphere to contribute local expertise to broader challenges while bringing new tools, partnerships, and ideas back to the communities and ecosystems served at home. Global collaboration strengthens local impact, not replaces it.
Global Perspective, Local impact.
ERI Founder Tom Ries talks about partnering with the Tampa Bay Estuary Program to advance community-based habitat restoration in this short video produced for TBEP by filmmaker G. Steve Jordan.
Advancing Community-Based
Habitat Restoration
Restoration at this scale happens through collaboration. Whether you’re interested in partnering on a project, supporting restoration through funding, or learning more about Ecosphere’s work, there are many ways to be part of the impact.
Together, we can continue restoring ecosystems that protect what matters most.