On the one-year anniversary of the Town’s coastal erosion workshop of 2024, the Town Council and Community Association are jointly hosting another coastal presentation.
This year, researchers from the University of Florida will provide an overview of the scientific research going on regarding Florida’s coasts.
The Town Council already received such a presentation in September and is eager to bring it to the wider community. The University of Florida’s Center for Coastal Solutions recognizes that Florida’s coasts are facing an increasing array of complex, interconnected challenges, including impacts of sea-level rise, flooding, red tide, erosion, and more frequent and severe storms.
These significant and growing risks affect communities, businesses, infrastructure, and ecosystems across the state. The Center for Coastal Solutions works across disciplines to deliver advanced, integrated science and decision-making support to enable stakeholders to analyze, manage, and reduce risks.
UF's Center for Coastal Solutions is looking for partnerships that allow its researchers and graduate students to study coastal problems and test hypotheses in a real environment.
Recent studies have included analysis of the effectiveness of different types of dune vegetation and planting patterns, whether the size and shape of sand granules can slow erosional effects, what role the wind plays in coastal changes, and more.
Orchid’s stretch of beach could be ideal for a partnership, as our community contends with a variety of complex factors, including a narrow beach, nearby hardbottom reef, long sea turtle nesting season, and more.
The research would likely be general in nature but is expected to benefit the Town by helping us stay at the forefront of coastal research development, which in turn may go on to shape coastal management practices.
It’s not anticipated that this research will provide the Town with quick or easy solutions – this is a continuation of the Town’s long-term approach of being part of future solutions.
Come to the presentation on March 12, starting at 9 a.m. in the Sandpiper Room of the Orchid Beach Club, and participate with comments.