Michael Dunleavy ‘16 completes Eagle Scout project

Michael Dunleavy ’16 of Boy Scout Troop 340 turned over his completed Eagle Scout project to Madeira Beach City Manager Shane Crawford June 6 at Madeira Beach Causeway Park. The project is a Spartina nursery. Spartina is a cord grass that is indigenous to Florida and is used to assist with land reclamation along the beaches and in marshes.

Dunleavy chose the concept because the Spartina shoots can be harvested and used for land reclamation. The nursery also offers a hands-on education opportunity for local school marine biology classes and helps to beautify the park, which assists the city of Madeira Beach with its Florida Forever grant qualifications.

The project took three months and several hundred hours to complete.

Materials were donated by Lowe’s, Home Depot, Pentair, Larson & Sons Landscaping and National Traffic Signs. Monetary donations came from friends and family. He also received assistance from fellow Scouts and leaders with land clearing and actual project construction.

Dunleavy is a student at Admiral Farragut Academy, entering his junior year. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Boy Scout Order of the Arrow, Navy Junior ROTC, as well as the school’s wrestling and cross-country teams.

Upon graduation, he hopes to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, earn a degree in engineering and become a U.S. Navy SEAL.