Florida Heritage at Risk

Florida’s 8,436 miles of coastline are already experiencing an increase of sea level rise and storm surge events. Today many people live on or near the coast, just as people have for thousands of years. Places where people lived in the past are now recorded as archaeological sites. A one meter rise in sea level could impact over 16,000 heritage sites including cemeteries, historic buildings, and archaeological remains. As these sites disappear due to development for Florida’s growing population, as well as through processes like erosion, it is important to preserve information about them through observation and documentation. There is still time for us to learn from and enjoy these important resources before they are lost to rising seas. This exhibit examines the threat sea level rise poses to sites, and what we can do about it before its too late.