Preserving Paradise

Transformations Offer Sustainable Solutions for Wetland Property Owners

For Doug White, what started as a personal project to preserve the natural beauty surrounding his home in Mary Esther quickly evolved into a full-scale business venture. Alongside his wife Kristin and business partner Brooks Walters, Doug co-founded Coastal Transformations, a company committed to helping Florida homeowners responsibly reclaim and enhance their wetland-adjacent properties.

“When Kristin and I bought our property in 2019, we fell in love with the ecosystem—the geese, ducks, turtles, frogs,” Doug shared. “But we quickly learned that with a conservation easement in place, we were legally required to maintain the wetlands in pristine condition. At the same time, our upland area was nearly impossible to manage. We called it ‘snake property’—a mix of soft, overgrown terrain that required everything from a zero-turn mower to a machete.”

Concerned about erosion, fines, and the difficulty of maintaining their land, Doug began researching more sustainable and cost-effective ways to protect wetlands while improving the usability of upland areas. That’s when he teamed up with Brooks Walters, a marine construction expert and pilot, to develop a curved masonry wall system that contours to the natural shape of wetlands—providing strength, storm protection, and conservation benefits without disrupting the ecosystem.

Unlike traditional seawalls, these retaining walls are engineered to follow the organic curves of the landscape. They are three times stronger than concrete and customizable in appearance. “It’s a forever solution,” Doug explained. “You protect your wetlands, improve your property value, reduce maintenance, and gain peace of mind—all at once.”

Coastal Transformations offers turnkey project management for homeowners and builders, overseeing everything from permitting and engineering to wall construction, fill, sprinklers, and sod installation. They even offer upgrades like artificial turf or backyard fire pits, transforming previously unusable land into beautiful, functional outdoor living spaces.

“Our job is to take the stress out of the process,” Doug said. “We work with engineers familiar with wetland requirements, source the proper fill for flood zones, and handle all the regulatory hurdles with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corps of Engineers.”

Currently finishing their own property transformation, the Whites have created a stunning example of what’s possible— preserving the wetland habitat they love while adding usable yard space that’s safe, attractive, and resilient to storms. They decided to use their property as a “proof of concept” and could not be happier with the results, stating that it is everything they thought it could be.

The Coastal Transformations website is now live at coastaltransformationsfl.com. Doug and his team are happy to consult with property owners across the Gulf Coast who face the same challenges. For more information, email office@coastaltransformationsfl.com. Whether you're looking to protect wildlife, reclaim your backyard, or avoid costly environmental fines, Coastal Transformations is leading the way in sustainable property solutions—one thoughtful project at a time.