With the longest coastline in the continental U.S. and 825 miles of warm beaches, Florida has a lot of shoreline to protect. That's where Pepper Uchino comes in.

As president of the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association, he leads the state's only organization devoted entirely to safeguarding the coastlines that make Florida so special. And with beach and waterfront activities among the most popular draws for out-of-state visitors, the state's natural beauty isn't just scenic – it's essential to our economy.

In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway talks with Pepper about his unexpected path into environmental advocacy and why investing in the next generation of coastal engineers may be the key to preserving Florida's future.