Strengthening Shorelines, Sustaining Community at Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse ONA

Photo is taken from an overlook of a waterway with a rocky shore and a red lighthouse in the background
Halfway through construction, the Shoreline Stabilization Project at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area is strengthening the coastline and improving resilience, with the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse overlooking progress along the inlet. Here, these rock breakwaters help calm the water along the coast and support mangroves and other native vegetation, thus strengthening long term coastal resilience.

For generations, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (ONA) has served as a defining landmark for the community. It is here that history, recreation, education and conservation intersect along Florida’s Atlantic Coast, offering public access to unique coastal ecosystems, scenic views of the inlet and lighthouse, and opportunities for boating, snorkeling, fishing, and environmental education, making it a treasured destination for residents and visitors alike.  

Protecting those natural and recreational values is central to the Bureau of Land Management’s stewardship of the site. Recently, staff at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area hosted Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kate MacGregor and Eastern States State Director Mitch Leverette for a tour highlighting progress on the $16 million Shoreline Stabilization Project, a critical investment designed to safeguard the area’s shoreline while enhancing public access and long-term resilience.  

Two people in safety vests stand on a sandy site with heavy machinery and a lighthouse in the background.
Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kate MacGregor and BLM Eastern States State Director Mitch Leverette stand in front of heavy construction equipment during a tour of the shoreline stabilization construction area at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, where major infrastructure work is underway to improve coastal resilience and public access.

Most of the project’s funding was provided through the Great America’s Outdoor Act (GAOA), cooperative grants totaling $7 million from the Florida Inland Navigation District provided the final funding needed to advance enhanced waterway access and additional recreational improvement projects.  

The GAOA Shoreline Stabilization Project covers approximately five acres, and includes construction of a retaining wall, installation of in-water wave breaks, pilings, artificial reef structures, and an addition of shoreline access points. The planting of upland and tidal vegetation, including mangroves, will enhance and protect the area’s terrestrial and marine habitats while supporting improved recreational opportunities. 

Workers in safety gear repair a waterfront barrier, with an ATV nearby and buildings lining the coast under a blue sky.
Construction crews work along the newly installed curved retaining wall as part of the Shoreline Stabilization Project at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area. Now halfway complete, the project is designed to protect the shoreline, improve resilience, and preserve this historic coastal landscape.

“The Great American Outdoors Act signed into law by President Trump, is about making lasting investments in our public lands to improve the experience for all our visitors who use them. Projects like this show exactly why that commitment matters,” MacGregor said. “It was exciting to be on site with the team to see firsthand how this work will enhance recreation, improve resilience, and ensure places like Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse ONA can be enjoyed by the people for generations to come.” 

The project is currently halfway through construction, with the two-tier curved retaining wall and multiple staircases completed. In-water work is underway and includes 22 breakwaters, a dock, 800 feet of boardwalk, installation of artificial reefs, and creation of an expanded beach.  Construction is expected to be complete by the end of FY 26, with a highly anticipated Ribbon Cutting event in December.  

Three individuals wearing safety vests stand on a dock by the water, with boats in the background and a bridge in the distance.
Nate Roush, section chief construction at A&E Contracting; Peter DeWitt, program manager at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area; and Shayne Banks, acting district manager for Southeastern States District Office, walk the retaining wall.

“Seeing the Eastern States team engaged in hands-on restoration work and being able to share that work with leadership and others in the community, was especially meaningful,” Leverette said. “Protecting the shoreline and providing better recreational opportunities to boaters, snorkelers and future generations speaks to the importance of our work and the strength of our workforce].” 

For more about this historical BLM site, go to Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse ONA

Story by:

Minerva Anderson, Public Affairs Specialist, Department of the Interior