Much of Sarasota Bay's shoreline has been hardened through the use of seawalls and revetments. While seawalls are meant to protect property from erosion and flooding, they can cause erosion landward ofto adjacent unhardened areas. There are negative environmental impacts from hardened shorelines - loss of natural habitat for fishes, birds and shore-based life and loss of natural filtration of pollutants.

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Living shorelines (LSL) provide a natural option to hardened shores. Through the use of plants, rock, and other natural elements, properly-placed and constructed LSLs provide resiliency to erosion, wave energy and storms. They filter pollutants, provide habitat, and create a more aesthetically pleasing coastline.

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