The coastal dune lakes of South Walton County are among the rarest features on earth — found elsewhere only in Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and Oregon.

A Gulf Power-supported grant fuels a project to help protect this unique lake system — a hidden gem tucked away among some of the busiest vacation beaches on the Gulf Coast.

Under the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant, Northwest Florida State College Foundation and its partners, led by the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, will remove invasive plants and engage volunteers in the monthly monitoring of 58 water quality stations on 16 coastal dune lakes in Walton County. Outreach activities will include coastal dune lakes tours for residents and visitors.

This project is among 11 projects in the Southeast — three in Northwest Florida — that are funded under the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grants, a partnership between Gulf Power’s parent company, Southern Company, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The program encourages environmental stewardship and community partnerships to protect vital habitats.

The projects can apply for and receive up to $40,000 each from the one-year grants. The key factor with the Five Star grants is the community partnerships and volunteer contribution match resulting with each project.

“We take pride in protecting our environment and supporting these projects will connect our communities and help protect Northwest Florida’s priceless natural resources,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson. “These are grassroots efforts that thrive from partnerships between businesses, agencies, colleges and the people who live in these communities.”

South Walton’s coastal dune lakes are said to be as much as 10,000 years old. A striking feature of the lakes is that they are made up of mostly freshwater — protected from the nearby Gulf of Mexico by towering sand dunes.

Last year, the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance completed a living shoreline at Eden Gardens State Park under a Five Star Grant received by Northwest Florida State College Foundation.

The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program provides financial assistance to diverse local partnerships for wetland, forest, streamside and coastal habitat restoration with a particular focus on urban waters and watersheds. It also emphasizes results-based collaboration with diverse partners, including environmental groups, public agencies, non-governmental organizations, landowners, schools, businesses and others.