Director's Note

Sustaining our momentum and scaling our impacts in 2024

In 2023, CCS rode a surge of success, and this year is also rolling out with a whoosh! In January, we brought CCS students, faculty, advisory board and our collaborators together for a daylong retreat to check progress against the three-year strategic plan we created a year ago. It was invigorating to see just how much of the plan we accomplished in our first year, thanks to a small but dedicated and passionate team and board, and the unwavering support of our partners and collaborators.    

Read more

In otter news: A top predator's return to a California estuary restores its marshes

(Photo credit: Kiliii Yuyan)

Sea otters’ homecoming to their former habitat in a Central California estuary has delivered a remarkable payoff in conservation efforts — erosion of the area’s creekbanks and marsh edges have slowed on average by 69%.  

Full story

In the Field

Scientists trace sources of South Florida's harmful algal blooms

(Photo credit: Danielle Taylor)

Last summer, blooms of blue-green algae spread across 440 miles of Lake Okeechobee, covering nearly half of the state’s largest inland lake. For years, these blooms have posed a health hazard to the lake’s vegetation and wildlife, and to the people who swim in and drink the lake’s water. Scientists at the University of Florida, led by Elise Morrison, Ph.D., assistant professor in the environmental engineering sciences department, are zooming in on potentially bloom-causing nutrients.  

Full story

Tech Dive

Ocean modelers quantify coastal protection from coral and oyster reefs

(Photo credit: Rainer Von Brandis)

Coral and oyster reefs play a vital role in mitigating the impact of wave energy on coastal areas as water flows through and past the contours and irregularities of their surfaces. Xiao Yu, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, and Ph.D. student Lauren Cope are developing models to measure how much these complex surfaces on coral and oyster reefs weaken wave impact on shorelines. 

Full story

SeaSquad

Change catalyst Brian Beach joins CCS advisory board

This month’s SeaSquad features Brian Beach, CCS’ newest advisory board member and president of Beachside Strategy, which guides organizations in developing their vision and models for innovation and transformation. Beach shares his deep connection to UF, his motivation for joining the board and features of the coast that he hopes his children and future generations will continue to enjoy.  

Full story

Events

Strategy surfing at the CCS annual retreat

(Photo credit: Dawn Newman)

The UF Center for Coastal Solutions (CCS) held its second annual strategic planning retreat at the Austin Carey Forest Campus on January 12. “The purpose of this process is to keep CCS on a clear path to being a stronger organization with positive impact,” said Sharon Ryan, associate director of communications and strategy for CCS, who co-facilitated the daylong retreat with Dawn Newman of Blackhawk Facilitation and Jess Stempein of Rooted In Process.   

Full story 

New research holds promise for dune resilience in St. Augustine

(Photo credit: Orlando Cordero)

More than 60 University of Florida engineering alumni gathered at the Governor's House Cultural Center and Museum in St. Augustine on December 13 to learn about the Center for Coastal Solutions' (CCS) research to address coastal challenges faced by the city.  

Full story 

Mark Your Calendars

(Photo credit: UF Advancement)

On Giving Day, Stand Up and Holler for Solutions

When you give to causes you care about and believe in, you create positive, real-world impacts. When you support UF-CCS, you not only help generate solutions for the coast you also give students opportunities to gain real-world experience and skills while doing something they believe in. The Gators may dominate the Swamp here on campus, but out in the real swamps of Florida our world-class researchers and talented students are making waves! This Giving Day we're standing up to improve water quality, restore coastal ecosystems and build community resilience through the best science. This Giving Day we're standing up to equip our students with knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems and launch into successful careers. On February 15, we invite you to stand up to support Florida’s coasts and the next wave of innovators.  

UFgive.to/CCSGive24/