MRD Staff demonstrates Drone/UAS Technology for Coastal Processes Monitoring under the Florida Master Naturalist Program

The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education program developed by the University of Florida and provided by many UF/IFAS Extension Agents and participating organizations throughout the State of Florida. The Coastal Shoreline Restoration course focuses on living shoreline restoration and is intended to improve participants’ understanding of the science and application of living shorelines.

Guest speaker, Coastal Engineer Joe Morrow of MRD Associates, Inc., discussed coastal processes affecting St. Joseph Peninsula, beach re-nourishment and protective structures. He also provided a field trip to the Peninsula, in which an aerial drone survey was conducted, enabling participants of the course to view drone footage in real-time via a separate monitor, highlighting the changes to the shoreline in recent years.

Want to know more about the Florida Master Naturalist Program? Please Visit: www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu or contact a Gulf County Extension Agent at 850-639-3200 for more details. The Star also provides a summary of the recent Coastal Shoreline Restoration course offered in Port St. Joe on August 9, 2018 at the following link: Florida Master Naturalist class makes splash on St. Joseph Bay