Ecosphere’s newest living shoreline was completed in June 2025 near Apollo Beach through a unique Public/Private Partnership (P3) with Tampa Electric Company (TECO). This project was originally funded in 2022 through a $120,000 grant from the Tampa Bay Ecosystem Restoration Fund, matched with $246,000 from TECO. Following site surveys and design approvals in 2023, construction moved forward and is now complete, delivering both immediate and long-term benefits to the local estuary.

The project transformed a steep, eroding shoreline by “softening” nearly 600 linear feet of waterfront and creating a new tidal creek system, restoring natural hydrology and building critical habitat. What makes this site especially noteworthy is that it was implemented on private property using both public and private funding. Of the 50+ living shorelines our team has implemented, only a handful have been done on private lands. Yet these projects make a big difference in ecosystem services because fish, birds, and manatees don’t care who owns the shoreline.

Like all living shorelines, this one uses natural materials and native vegetation to stabilize the coast, improve water quality, and support wildlife. While the site experienced heavy summer thunderstorms soon after construction, TECO volunteers worked alongside Ecosphere to repair minor erosion and reinforce new plantings. With ongoing monitoring, the shoreline is expected to become self-sustaining over time.
This project highlights the power of public–private collaboration in advancing restoration. By combining funding, securing conservation protections, and engaging local partners, we’re proving that even private shorelines can become part of the solution to create healthier, more resilient waterways for the future.