South Florida and the Florida Keys are home to some of the most diverse and threatened coastal ecosystems on the planet — from mangrove forests and coastal dunes to wetlands, hardwood hammocks, seagrass beds, and coral reefs teeming with life.

But decades of coastal development, pollution, and increasingly severe storms have disrupted the natural flow of freshwater, degraded habitats, and put the entire ecosystem at risk. By restoring these critical landscapes, including coastal dunes, we can provide vital habitat for countless species, protect shorelines from erosion and storm surge, improve water quality, and boost the carbon-sequestering power of these ecosystems.

That’s why Seatrees has partnered with Coastlove, a Florida-based nonprofit restoring hydrological flow across degraded watersheds in the Keys. Together, we're reconnecting these fragile ecosystems, removing barriers like fill and invasive species, and replanting native vegetation to restore balance from the ground up.This project will also work in collaboration with the Scouts of America. The restoration of the dune will include the planting native species to stabilize the soil in order to increase biodiversity and provide shade to campers.

This project is not just about restoration; it's an educational opportunity for Scouts to learn about conservation, get hands-on experience with tree planting, and play an active role in caring for our environment.

In addition, Seatrees and Coastlove have launched a dedicated mangrove nursery project in the Florida Keys. Located at the Plant a Million Corals Foundation compound in Summerland Key, this nursery will cultivate 5,500 native mangrove propagules, which will be distributed to local community groups for outplanting across restoration sites throughout the Lower Keys.

This project addresses the urgent need for bold, local action to restore vital coastal ecosystems - specifically mangrove forests, which provide habitat for wildlife, protect shorelines, filter water, and store carbon.