Conservation Florida and Sea & Shoreline Partner to Restore 250,000+ Eelgrass Plants in East Lake Tohopekaliga
50-acre planting project in Osceola County strengthens wildlife habitat, improves recreation, and protects a high-priority freshwater lake
ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2026) — Conservation Florida, a dynamic leader in land conservation, in partnership with Sea & Shoreline planted more than 250,000 native eelgrass plants, spanning roughly 50 acres along the northwest shoreline of East Lake Tohopekaliga in Osceola County, a key part of one of Florida’s most treasured freshwater systems – the headwaters of the Everglades.
Funded through an appropriation from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the project builds on years of progress and aims to restore balance to a delicate ecosystem that is home to wildlife like the American alligator, snail kite, softshell turtle, river otter, and a wide variety of fish.
“Conservation Florida's partnership with Sea & Shoreline reflects our commitment to not only conserve water, wildlife, and wild places but steward them for the long term,” said Conservation Florida CEO Traci Deen. “Because conservation doesn’t end at protection. Conservation means forever.”
"This project is a great example of how we put science into action to create lasting ecological impact,” said Carter Henne, CEO of Sea & Shoreline. “In partnership with Conservation Florida, we’re proud to help plan and implement the restoration of 50 acres of native eelgrass in East Lake Toho, creating critical habitat that supports fish, wildlife, and healthier waterways for the future.”
A Lake Loved by the Community
“Tohopekaliga” is thought to mean “we will gather together here,” derived from the words tohopke (fenced area or fort) and lika (gathering place). Today, East Lake Tohopekaliga continues to live up to its name as a place where wildlife, recreation, and community come together.
It’s also a vital home for wildlife. Locally known as East Lake Toho, it supports an abundant fish population, including largemouth bass and bluegill, which draws anglers to the area. The lake also provides ample feeding and nesting opportunities for waterfowl, bald eagles, ospreys, and wading birds like snowy egrets and wood storks.
The lake spans roughly 12,000 acres with approximately 17.5 miles of shoreline, making it the second-largest lake located entirely within Osceola County. It connects to Fell’s Cove and Lake Ajay, which flows into Boggy Creek.
Sitting just five miles south of the Orlando International Airport, this ecological hotspot is essential to supporting native plants and wildlife in a rapidly growing part of the state.
East Lake Toho is a vast wetland oasis that safeguards Florida’s wild character and provides opportunities for outdoor recreation like boating, bird watching and fishing in the Orlando metro area.
It is also part of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and is classified by the FWC as a high-priority aquatic resource. East Lake Toho has long supported robust native plant communities, but over time, development and altered water levels have created conditions allowing invasive species like hydrilla to spread. This project was designed to reverse that trend, strengthening native plant communities, and protecting the progress already made through earlier restoration efforts.
The Restoration Project
In late 2025, Sea & Shoreline installed roughly 250,000 juvenile native Florida eelgrass plants along the northwest shoreline of East Lake Toho using a combination of planting and protection techniques designed to ensure long-term success.
After planting, protective cages known as growSAV devices — steel frames covered with wire mesh — were installed over the young plants to shield them from grazing by fish and turtles.
Once the eelgrass has established strong root systems (typically after 12 months) the growSAV devices are removed.
All eelgrass used in the project was grown at Sea & Shoreline’s Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)-certified aquaculture facility in Ruskin, Florida, and was verified native through a University of Florida genetics lab.
The restoration area is now monitored on a monthly basis, with maintenance continuing through 2026. Informational signage has also been installed on the lakeshore and around the perimeter of the project area to notify boaters and lake users of the restoration effort.
Conservation Means Forever
The benefits of this project extend far beyond the shoreline of East Lake Toho. The data collected will inform best practices for years to come, accelerating habitat recovering statewide.
By restoring native eelgrass, Conservation Florida and Sea & Shoreline are benefiting anglers, boaters, wildlife, and the communities that depend on a thriving lake, ensuring a healthier future for all those who enjoy East Lake Tohopekaliga — above and below the water’s surface.
For more information, contact:
Sarah Shepard, Communications Director
About Conservation Florida:
Conservation Florida is an accredited, nonprofit land conservancy dedicated to conserving the Sunshine State’s water, wildlife, wild places — the places that make Florida home. Since its founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has saved roughly 45,000 acres, serving all 67 counties in Florida, by prioritizing strategic and evidence-based land protection, education, and advocacy.
About Sea & Shoreline:
Sea & Shoreline, LLC is a privately held, Florida-based aquatic restoration and marine construction firm founded in 2014 that specializes in transforming corrupted aquatic environments into healthy, thriving, and sustainable ecosystems.