Church by the Sea to launch Living Seawall effort on Memorial Day weekend
On Sunday, May 25 at 11:15 a.m., during its annual Memorial Day weekend cookout, the Church by the Sea will officially launch the Living Seawall initiative—a bold, community-driven effort to restore and protect Fort Lauderdale’s interconnected waterways.
This project begins with a major fundraising campaign and the start of permitting for what will become the largest Living Seawall installation of its kind in Florida—an 860-foot structure made of sustainable, mangrove-root-inspired panels by Kind Designs. Once built, the wall will help filter pollutants from the water, create habitat for marine life, and provide a model for eco-conscious shoreline protection. Construction is slated to begin in May 2026.
The church warmly invites the entire community to this milestone kickoff event. Guests are welcome to attend the 10:00 a.m. worship service or simply arrive in time for the BBQ and celebration beginning at 11:15 a.m. The men’s club will be grilling up a classic Memorial Day lunch, and attendees will have a chance to meet the project team and learn how to get involved.
The event will also include a moment of remembrance for the men and women of the armed forces who gave their lives in service to the country. In keeping with the spirit of Memorial Day, the gathering will honor both sacrifice and shared commitment to a better future.
Among those being recognized at the event are the members of Residents for Resilience (R4R), a local group of environmental advocates whose tireless efforts have helped bring waterway restoration to the forefront of community conversations. Their leadership has laid the groundwork for innovative projects like this one, and the Church by the Sea is proud to celebrate this shared step forward.
“We’re thrilled to support the launch of the Living Seawall initiative,” said Suzee Bailey, founder of R4R. “Our mission has always been to spark long-term nature solutions for our local waterways, and this collaboration is exactly the kind of impact we envisioned. We’re proud to stand alongside the church and the community in bringing this to life.”
“We’re not just launching a project—we’re launching a movement,” added Harry Rozelle, one of the initiative’s organizers. “Our goal is to build something that heals the water, educates future generations, and strengthens our community’s relationship with the natural world.”
Free tickets are available now via Eventbrite. The event is open to everyone—neighbors, environmentalists, boaters, veterans, and anyone who cares about Fort Lauderdale’s waterways—and all are encouraged to attend.