Fort Myers, FL –
The Coastal Zone Foundation (CZF) is pleased to announce that Hunter Mathews has earned the designation of Certified Coastal Practitioner™ (CCP) professional credential.
Earning the CCP designation distinguishes Mathews as having a broad knowledge base and understanding of the interrelationships that exist among different coastal professions.
Mathews is a biologist located in Jacksonville, FL, with a background in oyster reef ecology and restoration. He received his Master of Science degree in Biology from the University of North Florida in 2023, where he studied the effectiveness of the novel Pervious Oyster Shell Habitat
(POSH) in recruiting oysters and providing habitat for fish and crustaceans. Mathews continues to work on living shoreline and other coastal resilience projects throughout northeast Florida.
“I enjoyed diving into the variety of topics covered in the Certified Coastal Practitioner program,” said Mathews. “The courses covered many aspects of coastal projects that need to be considered from coastal regulations, regulators, and permitting requirements, to biological and engineering principles guiding project development, to effectively managing coastal projects.
“A variety of coastal threats and solutions were covered by many experienced individuals in the field,” he continued, “which provided a good understanding of the different tools being utilized across our coastlines.
“I’m excited to take new insights I’ve gained in project management and coastal engineering into future projects to enhance their success and impacts in my community.”
To earn the CCP credential, candidates must complete a series of 10 courses offered by the Coastal Zone Foundation in cooperation with the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA). The CCP program provides participants with multidisciplinary instruction on comprehensive coastal management and defines the body of knowledge, which reflects best practices for coastal practitioners. To date, 41 professionals have earned this certification.
The Coastal Zone Foundation was formed in 1984 with the purpose of advancing scientific and related engineering and planning knowledge. Visit coastalzonefoundation.org to learn more about the certification.