Buffer Zones and Living Shorelineswith UF/IFAS

At The Kampong in Miami, Florida—located at 4013 Douglas Rd. Miami, FL 33133—Buffer Zones and Living Shorelines with UF/IFAS is a hands-on class that teaches homeowners and stewards how to design vegetated borders that protect Biscayne Bay while producing food. Led by Master Gardeners from the UF/IFAS Extension Team, the workshop pairs classroom guidance with a guided walk through The Kampong’s grounds and its working food forest.

You’ll learn to select freshwater and salt-tolerant plants, size and plant buffer zones, and maintain living shorelines to reduce erosion, filter runoff, and support pollinators and shorebirds. The scene is compact and tactile: mangrove-fringed shoreline, palms and tropical fruit trees, shaded garden paths, and beds of edible perennials. Key features include the shoreline buffer demonstration areas, the garden food forest plots, and sections illustrating both freshwater and brackish planting strategies.

Expect practical demonstrations on planting depths, erosion control measures, and native selections suited to South Florida’s subtropical climate. The class emphasizes real-world constraints—space, salinity, and storm resilience—so advice is immediately usable at home. This program stands out because it blends UF/IFAS research-backed horticulture with a public garden living laboratory.

The Kampong’s proximity to Biscayne Bay makes concepts tangible: you can see how a planted buffer changes the waterline and supports wading birds. For conservation-minded travelers, this is more than a tour; it’s an actionable skills session that leaves you with a plan and the confidence to build or enhance a shoreline buffer. Who should come: homeowners, community group members, landscapers, and gardeners age 12 and up who want to improve water quality and habitat while growing food.

The pace is accessible—expect light walking on garden paths and some hands-on planting. Admission to The Kampong is included. Practical notes: meet at 4013 Douglas Rd.

Miami, FL 33133; small tools or gloves may be useful but not required; bring water and sun protection. The class runs about an hour and is limited in size to keep the instruction personal. Instruction comes from Master Gardeners with UF/IFAS Extension Team expertise, so recommendations reflect state extension research and plant selection tuned to South Florida’s salt and flood challenges.

Classes are designed to accommodate up to 20 participants, allowing time for questions and one-on-one guidance. Participants often leave with a prioritized plant list and maintenance schedule tailored to their site. Families with teenagers find the session educational and practical, and community groups can adapt the methods to neighborhood parks and stormwater edges.

Book your place via the referral link.