Guard the shoreline
Protect the dunes and natural banks that hold the lake in place from erosion and new development.
Santa Rosa Beach · Walton County · Florida
To Preserve the Natural Beauty of Oyster Lake
Oyster Lake is one of Florida's rare coastal dune lakes. We work to protect it so it stays clean and wild for the years ahead.
On the coast of South Walton
Oyster Lake sits just behind the dunes, a few steps from the Gulf of Mexico.
It's a coastal dune lake, a rare kind of lake you'll find in only a few parts of the world. We started the Oyster Lake Land Trust to keep it healthy. Our funding comes from grants and from people who love the lake.
- Coastal dune lakes in Walton County
- 15Coastal dune lakes in Walton County
- Of coastline along Scenic 30A
- 26miOf coastline along Scenic 30A
- Places in the world with dune lakes
- 5Places in the world with dune lakes
A rare kind of lake
What is a coastal dune lake?
A coastal dune lake is a shallow lake that forms in the low ground behind the beach dunes. You'll only find them in a few places around the world, and South Walton is one of them.
Fed by land and sea
Rain and creeks fill the lake with fresh water. Now and then the Gulf pushes in salt water, and the mix is always shifting.
Its own kind of habitat
Every so often the lake breaks through the sand and meets the Gulf. It's called an outfall, and it lets freshwater and saltwater life share the same water.
Thousands of years old
These lakes have been part of this coastline for a very long time. If one is lost, there is no getting it back.
Why it matters
Keep the lake healthy, and the whole coast stays healthy with it. That is the reason this trust exists.
Oyster Lake, Santa Rosa Beach
Who we are
A small trust with one focus
The Oyster Lake Land Trust is a conservation group built around one place: Oyster Lake. We work to protect its land, water, and wildlife, and to keep this rare dune lake the way it should be. Our funding comes from grants and private donations.
We're a small group of neighbors, not a big organization.
For more about the lake, please visit the Oyster Lake Preservation Society, our partners in preservation.
Our work
Four ways we protect Oyster Lake
Most of what we do comes down to four things, and all of it happens right here on the lake.
Keep the water clean
Look after the water quality of the lake and everything that drains into it.
Restore native habitat
Care for the sea oats, marsh grass, and wildlife that live here, from wading birds to blue crab.
Share the story
Help neighbors and visitors understand what makes this lake worth protecting.
Visit
How to find Oyster Lake
Oyster Lake is in the Dune Allen area of Santa Rosa Beach, just off Scenic Highway 30A in Walton County. Drop the coordinates into your maps app, or use the button below for directions.
Coordinates30.3535° N, 86.2440° W
Get involved
Help us keep Oyster Lake wild
Want to help, work with us, or just learn more about the lake? Send us an email. We'd love to hear from you.
Santa Rosa Beach · Walton County · Florida 30A
Oyster Lake Land Trust is funded by grants and private donations.