 … on behalf of coastal habitats that support birds and other wildlife  … and advocate for protection of climate strongholds – coastal and upland habitats

Key message #1: Learn more about coastal birds and wildlife and how to protect their habitat (climate strongholds) as sea levels rise.

Key message #2: Recognize that Everglades restoration – increasing freshwater storage and flow within the Everglades - will defend against sea level rise. Photo: Charles Lee

Key message #3: Plan for climate change and make sure our response to sea level rise helps - rather than harms - Florida’s coastal habitats. Photo: John Landon

Florida’s upland habitats are also climate strongholds for birds, plants, and wildlife Longleaf Pine and Pine Flatwoods Photo: Larry Goodman

Florida’s upland habitats are also climate strongholds for birds, plants, and wildlife Dry Prairie

Florida’s upland habitats are also climate strongholds for birds, plants, and wildlife Photo: Stephen Kintner Scrub and Sandhills

 Local and regional working groups Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, and Pinellas counties through Regional Planning Councils  County plans, e.g. Levy County

 Other planning efforts with public input opportunities

Broward, Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties

Egmont Key Audubon FLORIDA

Florida’s coastal beaches are prized by millions of people…

… but our coastlines are irreplaceable habitat for birds, sea turtles, and other wildlife. Photo credit: Tom Carey

Sea level rise is already evident along Florida’s coastlines… Photo credit: Dave Kandz

…and hardening our coastlines will not hold back the ocean indefinitely. Photo: Dave Kandz

One promising method of managing saltmarsh erosion that has been used in northeast Florida is a living shoreline that protects the saltmarsh and allows it to rebuild naturally. Alternative: A “living shoreline” protects saltmarsh and allows it to rebuild naturally.

Alternative: allow beaches to migrate inland by preserving adjacent undeveloped uplands

Learn more about birds and wildlife living in coastal areas and how to protect their habitat in the face of sea level rise. Photo: David Macri

Let’s plan for climate change and make sure that our response to sea level rise helps – rather than harms – Florida’s beaches and coastlines. Photo: John Nelson Photo: John Young

Learn more about sea level rise and coastal habitat FloridaClimateMessenger.com Photo: Stephen Mann

Photo: John Nelson

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Learn more about sea level rise and coastal habitat FloridaClimateMessenger.com Photo: Stephen Mann