The Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Initiative
Turning scientific research into real-world restoration for Florida's coastal communities.
Who we are
We're writing the playbook on water quality and habitat restoration.
C-HAWQ, pronounced "sea-hawk," turns university research into practical steps Florida communities can act on. Here's how:
Technical assistance
Up to $200,000 in fee-free advisory support: field science, independent engineering review, and cost estimates.
Get assistance
Nature-based solutions
Living shorelines and natural systems that restore water quality for good.
See projects
University-backed research
Partnering with Florida researchers to build a library of trusted best practices.
See research
Community outreach
Public meetings and education that bring residents into the process.
Get involvedOur research
Starting where nobody else has: residential canals
Southwest Florida has more man-made residential canals than anywhere else. In 2026 we joined the Gulf Ecosystem Initiative, a partnership between NOAA and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis.
Together we're mapping canal decline, tracing its link to harmful algal blooms, and building simple measures cities can use to plan restoration and check whether it worked.
Read our researchOur advisors
Backed by academic, scientific and professional experts
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Chris Stallings, PhD
Professor, USF College of Marine Science
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Holden Harris, PhD
University of Florida
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Michael Allen, PhD
Professor, UF School of Forest, Fisheries & Geomatics Sciences
Director, UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station
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Christopher B. Burke, PhD, PE, D.WRE, Dist.M.ASCE NED
Professor, University of Illinois Chicago College of Engineering
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David Kaplan, PhD
Professor, UF Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment
Director, H.T. Odum Center for Wetlands
Associate Director, UF Center for Coastal Solutions
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Vincent Encomio, PhD
Extension Agent, Martin & St. Lucie Counties, Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida IFAS
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Mike Sipos
Collier County Extension Agent, Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida IFAS
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Holly Abeels
Extension Agent III, Brevard County, Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida IFAS
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Nick Tremmel, PE
Nature-Based Engineering Expert
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Jonathan Koepke, CPESC
Environmental Design Expert
Partners
Our scientific, community and conservation partners
Have a waterway project that's stuck?
Tell us about your canal, shoreline or stormwater system. We'll show you where research and fee-free technical assistance can move it forward.