Once inaccessible, the Hillsborough River is now a living learning lab for students at this public school in Tampa’s urban core, and a successful showcase for alternatives to hardened seawalls.  Ecosphere Restoration Institute coordinated the design of the Living Shoreline and stormwater retrofit ponds, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District constructed the project. The project was completed on time and under budget, and has resulted in a functioning living shoreline, which also doubles as a learning lab for students from Stewart Middle Magnet School and the adjacent Blake High School.

Approximately 1,900 linear feet of crumbling, eroding shoreline was stabilized by removal of invasive lead trees and other exotics; placement of a rock revetment, and installation of native plants, with students participating in the plantings.  A classroom module enhanced student understanding and involvement in the project, and continues to engage students with the ecology of the river, and inspire a commitment to protect it, through hands-on activities such as water sampling and wildlife monitoring. The stormwater ponds treat runoff from this urban area before it enters the river.

In 2024, Ecosphere organized three volunteer events to remove trash along the Living Shoreline and mulch all the non-native trees (Brazilian pepper, lead tress, and Australian pine).  This effort was sponsored by the City of Tampa and we worked with the SMS students and our volunteer network to install native vegetation.