Cedar Key is an archipelago of small islands in the Big Bend region of Florida’s Gulf Coast, with a population of around 700 people and a natural landscape of wetlands and low-lying woodlands. The human history of Cedar Key includes early Paleo-Indian activity, including by the Timucua people, and providing shelter for 18th century Spanish sailors. Cedar Key represents an increasingly rare example of “Old Florida,” commonly described as small coastal communities based on a mix of fishing, local business, and small-scale, affordable tourist accommodations.

Recovery from Hurricane Helene is currently underway but is likely to take years. In the meantime, adaptation is necessary to prepare for the future. The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation and the University of Florida were already working with the City of Cedar Key to provide planning, research, and technical assistance, including a Resilient Cedar Key Adaptation Plan completed just before Hurricane Helene hit, recommending solutions like elevating and wet-proofing historic buildings, improving drainage to protect a historic cemetery, and using nature-based “living shoreline” approaches to reduce the impacts of storm surges. As recovery continues, Cedar Key will require consistent support and resources to ensure the future of this historic community.

Cedar Key was named to the National Trust's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list for 2025.