Strengthen Nature-Based Solutions in Florida

Surfrider strives to harness the power of nature to address some of the greatest challenges facing Florida’s beaches in light of climate change. Our coasts need protection from rising sea level, stronger and more intense hurricanes, and recurring flood events, but not in the form of costly beach renourishment or harmful coastal armoring. Nature-based solutions like living shorelines and coastal restoration can provide myriad climate, clean water, and flood resilience benefits. Surfrider seeks to strengthen and improve state-level processes and guidelines for using mangroves, native dune vegetation, and living shorelines for resiliency efforts across Florida.

HB371/SB50 seek to address nature-based methods at the state-level to better support local governments, communities, and stakeholders considering and implementing nature-based projects. The bills differ in scope but both build on previous years' legislation related to mangrove replanting and restoration that Surfrider has contributed to and supported. In particular, both bills include important provisions for the implementation of mangrove planting and restoration, native dune vegetation, and living shorelines. The bills also directs Florida Flood Hub to develop guidelines and standards for the optimal combinations of green-gray infrastructure and submit a report with strategies to minimize impact to mangroves and shorelines.

Whether preventing coastal erosion, adding recreational value, or sequestering carbon, mangroves, dune vegetation, and living shorelines are truly among Florida's most valuable tools for climate resilience. Improved state agency processes and guidelines will help reflect that position and enable more informed and widespread action across the state. 

Our Florida network will engage with decision-makers, advocate for nature-based solutions at Florida Healthy Beaches Day, and support the bill in committees.  Follow Surfrider’s state legislative blog series, Impact Zone, for updates on how you can activate on behalf of nature-based solutions this session.