The pensacola BAY living shoreline project is a large living shoreline to be constructed within the lower pensacola BAY system along exposed shorelines around naval air station pensacola and near…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, awarded County of Escambia a $1,399,920 Cooperative Agreement under the Endangered Species Recovery Implementation program (CFDA 15.657) on July 1, 2025, for implementation through April 29, 2027. The project funds the design and construction of a large-scale living shoreline ecosystem restoration initiative across three sites within the lower Pensacola Bay system adjacent to Naval Air Station Pensacola. The three construction sites include White Island at Bayou Grande and Davenport Bayou (Site A), Magazine Point along the base's eastern shore (Site B), and Sherman Inlet and Lake Frederic along the southern shore (Site C). Deliverables include restoration of eroding shorelines, establishment of emergent marsh vegetation, and comprehensive habitat creation to support fish and wildlife species recovery.

The project generates multiple co-benefits beyond species conservation, including improved water quality, wave attenuation, and enhanced protection of critical military infrastructure at the naval station. As a federally funded species recovery implementation project, the living shoreline construction addresses habitat restoration priorities consistent with the program's focus on securing information and undertaking restoration actions that prevent species extinction and aid in recovery. The Cooperative Agreement structure enables collaborative delivery of environmental restoration services between the federal agency and the local government awardee in Pensacola, Florida.

The pensacola BAY living shoreline project is a large living shoreline to be constructed within the lower pensacola BAY system along exposed shorelines around naval air station pensacola and near the entrance to bayou grande. Site a at white island is located near the northeastern limits of the base at the mouths of bayou grande and davenport bayou. Site b at magazine point is located along the eastern shore of the base. Site c at sherman inlet and lake frederic is located along the southern shore of the base. This project will improve water quality and provide fish and wildlife habitat. Additional benefits include wave attenuation and protection of naval air station pensacola infrastructure. Emergent marsh vegetation and eroding shorelines will be protected. White island will be restored.