FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A large-scale coastal restoration effort to build a living oyster reef at Liza Jackson Park has begun, marking a significant step toward improving the area’s water quality and shoreline resilience, organizers have announced.
The project, led by the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) and supported by veterans from FORCE BLUE, focuses on restoring marine habitats while preventing erosion and enhancing the local ecosystem.
Veterans from FORCE BLUE, an organization that redeploys retired special operations veterans for conservation missions, played a key role in the project’s launch, moving 40 tons of limestone substrate over two days.
The reef will create a sustainable habitat for marine life, act as a natural water filter, and protect the coastline from future damage.
CBA Executive Director Alison McDowell praised the efforts of the veterans and the collaborative work with other conservation partners.
“When I first heard about FORCE BLUE, I was so inspired by their coastal conservation mission. After working with them for the past two days, I can say their work ethic and passion for conservation were just as inspiring in person,” said Ms McDowell.
The initiative, sponsored by Publix, is part of a more significant movement to restore coastal environments and engage local communities in environmental stewardship. As the reef grows, it is expected to improve biodiversity, bolster marine life, and create a healthier ecosystem along the shoreline.
FORCE BLUE’s involvement not only underscores the importance of coastal restoration but also provides veterans with a new way to continue serving in a meaningful capacity. Their mission involves recruiting skilled veterans, training them in marine conservation, and redeploying them on critical environmental missions worldwide.
For more information on this project or to get involved, visit basinalliance.org.
About the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance:
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) is dedicated to maintaining swimmable, fishable, and livable waterways in the Choctawhatchee watershed through monitoring, restoration, education, and research. The organization encourages locals and visitors to become active stewards of local waterways, wetlands, and shorelines.
