Looking Back: A Milestone Year for our Living Seawall
As 2025 draws to a close, the Living Seawall at The Church by the Sea is celebrating a year of major milestones, growing momentum, and community-driven progress. LivingSeawall.org is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to restoring water quality and marine life in Fort Lauderdale.
The project remains the first of its kind: a fully integrated, 3D-printed vertical living seawall designed specifically for an urban canal environment. By combining innovative infrastructure with environmental restoration, the Living Seawall will filter over a million gallons of water a day and help restore biodiversity to the Mayan Lake system.
In the first quarter, several key project partners including Cadence for landscape architecture and Kind Designs for seawall fabrication came aboard to bring the vision to life.
A formal website launched in May 2025 to provide ongoing updates, resources, and ways to get involved—including a Living Seawall online store with branded merchandise that supports the initiative.
The public launch event that month included a blessing of the seawall site, a project unveiling, and early fundraising momentum from community members and local leaders.
Now, just six months later, the Living Seawall is already halfway to its $1.8 million fundraising goal, a remarkable achievement for a grassroots effort in its first year.
Among the most inspiring developments has been the number of donors stepping up at the highest levels.
A handful of Legacy Sponsors have each committed $100,000. Some are individuals, others are families or groups of friends combining resources. These sponsors will be honored on dedicated signage at the seawall site and recognized as foundational partners in restoring water quality and marine life.
Several Footprint Sponsors have each contributed $1,500 or more — enough to fund one linear foot of the Living Seawall. These donors will be permanently recognized with custom plaques along the Discovery Deck: a lasting tribute to their commitment to clean water, community, and future generations.
As project co-founder Harry Rozelle puts it, “Every contribution matters. This is a project built by community, for community and we’re deeply grateful for everyone who’s helping bring it to life.”
Permitting and planning remain on track for a May 2026 groundbreaking, and the team continues to meet with environmental partners, community stakeholders, and faith-based allies to build long-term collaboration.
Thank you to everyone who has followed, shared, donated, or gotten involved this year. You’re helping create something beautiful, impactful, and lasting.