This project demonstrates nature-based alternatives to hardened seawalls and provides an educational example of shoreline protection options for waterfront homeowners. The demonstration site is located along a berm separating two ponds at the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center in Apollo Beach, which operates through a partnership between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Tampa Electric Company (TECO), and The Florida Aquarium.
​
Designed as a “grey-to-green” shoreline continuum, the project allows visitors to compare several shoreline stabilization approaches side-by-side. Demonstration sections include a traditional seawall, an enhanced seawall with rip-rap and vegetation, oyster reef balls and oyster shell bags, and a living shoreline constructed with native salt-tolerant plants. These approaches show how natural shoreline systems can reduce wave energy, stabilize shorelines, improve water quality, and create habitat for fish and wildlife.

Educational signage explains the techniques and their benefits, and the site is incorporated into youth programs and lesson plans at the Conservation Center. The shoreline is actively monitored to observe long-term stability and ecological succession, an important component often missing from demonstration projects.

Engineering and design began in 2020, with construction completed between 2021 and 2022. The project was finished ahead of schedule and under budget in 2022.

Funding included a $43,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County Pollution Recovery Fund, along with $67,500 in support from FWC.