New River Middle students ask Fort Lauderdale commission for $50,000 to finish living‑shoreline project

Students from New River Middle School’s EcoSharks club asked the Fort Lauderdale City Commission on April 15 to help complete a living‑shoreline project behind the school and to open the shoreline to the public during non‑school hours.

The students said Phase 1—installed last summer—placed planters and other infrastructure for a living shoreline; Phase 2 would plant mangroves in those planters, build an outdoor classroom and expand public education and access. The students told the commission Phase 2 will cost “upwards of $50,000,” and said they have applied for external grants, including the Noah Fund, and are seeking partnerships with nonprofit mangrove‑planting groups.

The project aims to replace part of the existing seawall with mangroves and other living‑shoreline elements that the students said reduce storm surge, flooding and shoreline erosion while providing hands‑on environmental education. “The outdoor classroom is probably one of the most valuable things for our community,” Eleonora Mariani, a member of the EcoSharks, said during the presentation.

Commissioners responded with support and suggestions. Commissioner Ben Sorensen, who represents the neighborhood, recalled earlier city planning work on living shorelines and said nonprofit partnerships could supply mangroves and planting help. Mayor Dean Trantalis and other commissioners praised the students’ advocacy and encouraged staff to look for opportunities to include living‑shoreline components in future seawall projects such as the planned seawall work around the aquatic center.

The students asked the commission for financial support or other assistance identifying funding sources. Commissioner Sorensen and other commissioners pointed to possible partner nonprofits and said the city would look for ways to collaborate. The commission did not take a formal vote or adopt funding at the April 15 meeting.

The EcoSharks’ presentation closed with the students thanking the commission and characterizing the project as a long‑term educational and environmental resource for Fort Lauderdale residents.

Additional details from the meeting: the students identified Phase 1 as completed and described the school seawall as remaining in place now but intended to be replaced by mangrove planters later. The students described the outdoor classroom as a platform for teachers to bring lessons to life for bird, manatee and turtle observations. They also said the shoreline would be open to the public outside school hours “for safety reasons.”