Photo Credit: Tracy Ridout
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February 2022
Indian River Lagoon Report Card Event Mar. 10
On Thursday, March 10 from 12-1pm, MRC will present the first public release of the latest Indian River Lagoon Coastal Community Report Card grading water quality and habitat health. Dr. Leesa Souto will discuss the results and encourage discussion about what is killing the lagoon's seagrass and what can be done about it. Register for this virtual event by clicking on the button below.
Dr. Leesa Souto with Senator Debbie Mayfield
MRC Report Cards going to Government Leaders
Members of the MRC team attended the legislative session last week to participate in Brevard Days at the capital and meet with our legislative delegation regarding the lagoon, seagrass, and manatees. We delivered the latest IRL Coastal Community Report Card to every Florida Senator and Representative and personally met most of them. 

We explained that we are concerned about a couple of bills going through session this year, including a seagrass mitigation bill (SB 198/HB 349), which would allow permitted "takings" of seagrass with mitigation. Because we are not confident that all species of seagrass can be planted successfully in the Indian River Lagoon, MRC has prioritized this bill for opposition. We met with our local Representative Tyler Sirois, one of the bill's co-sponsors in the House, who invited us to provide language and assured us that the final bill will address our concerns. Stay tuned as we continue the dialogue with our state leadership!

Join MRC on March 10 at noon for the public release of the latest IRL Coastal Community Report Card. Click the button below or register on-line at www.SaveTheIRL.org.
Love Our Lagoon Celebration Rescheduled to Fri. Nov. 4th
Fri., Nov. 4, 5-8pm, is the Love Our Lagoon Celebration at the Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront. COVID concerns and caution regarding the health of our guests prompted the date change from Feb. 12. If you've made reservations, they are fully transferable; thank you. The event schedule will not change, just the date. You can register any time you like. Any questions, please call MRC at 321-725-7775.
The MRC Welcomes TWO New Education Team Members!
The MRC could not be more excited to announce the addition of not one, but TWO new education team members, Allison McGinley (left) and Caitlin Bagnall (right)! Allison grew up in Miami and comes from a teaching background. Her passion for sustainability and the environment led her to the MRC where she is excited to help educate the youth about what they can do to help the Indian River Lagoon! Caitlin is originally from California, but most recently worked in Hawaii as a dolphin trainer educating the public on marine conservation. This experience developed Caitlin's love for teaching and she is looking forward to working with the community throughout the Indian River Lagoon!

If you are interested in scheduling programs for your group, please click the buttons below to contact Allison or Caitlin!
Photo caption: Snow Cone with her newborn calf in waters near Cumberland Island, Georgia on December 2, 2021. Snow Cone is an endangered North Atlantic right whale and is entangled in fishing rope. Credit: Georgia Department of Natural Resources/NOAA Permit #20556.
Promising Start to the 2022 Right Whale Calving Season
The 2022 right whale calving season is off to a promising start. Of the 39 individual right whales that have been identified in the southeast U.S., 13 have given birth and another 11 have the potential to give birth. Two of this year's mothers, Snow Cone and Derecha, lost their calves two years ago during the 2020 calving season due to vessel strikes. In a time when some right whales are giving birth every 10-13 years, these mothers have given birth again in only two. Snow Cone is also the only documented North Atlantic right whale to have gone through a pregnancy and birth while entangled. These two mothers prove that if we could just let them live out their natural lifespans, the population could rebound. 

If you are would like to report a right whale sighting or become a volunteer, please call
1-888-97-WHALE (1-888-979-4253)!
MRC Thanks Space Coast Crew for their Support!
Space Coast Crew (SCC) is giving back to the Indian River Lagoon by selling a special edition SCC 25th Anniversary Love Our Lagoon performance shirt to raise funds for MRC's unfunded science and education programs. Their goal is to sell 50 shirts and to date, we have orders for 33! Help SCC and MRC reach our goal by clicking on the button below and ordering your shirt today!

Big THANK YOU to the SCC for their support and partnership! It will take all of us working cooperatively to bring the Indian River Lagoon back to balance! 
Newlywed Couple Donates Gifts to MRC
On the occasion of their recent outdoor wedding overlooking the Indian River Lagoon, Bert and Cassie Luer requested guests donate to MRC in lieu of gifts. Their shared love of the lagoon resulted in $3,000 in donations to MRC. We hope Bert and Cassie inspire others to turn their special occasions into an opportunity to protect our paradise. Special thanks to Bert and Cassie and best wishes from your fellow lagoon lovers. If you are inspired to do something similar, direct donors to www.SaveTheIRL.org. It's that simple.
Sea Turtle Friendly Lighting Workshop
The Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) is hosting an in-person workshop for Brevard County on sea turtle friendly lighting on Thursday, February 24th from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the City of Satellite Beach Civic Center. This is a free workshop for code enforcement personnel, city planners, engineers, builders, architects or other lighting professionals who may benefit from learning more about sea turtle friendly lighting and the latest products and techniques available to meet sea turtle lighting ordinance requirements. Additionally, this workshop provides job training for code enforcement personnel and lighting professionals to improve their lighting survey skills and better address problematic lighting on beachfront properties. The workshop also awards code enforcement officers with 3.5 credit hours towards Florida Association of Code Enforcement (FACE) certification. This workshop is not intended for the general public. The workshop covers the following topics:
 
Part I: The Problem of Light on Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches
Part II: Lighting Laws and Evaluating the Extent of the Problem
Part III: The Best Practices for Managing Artificial Light

To register for the event, please click the button below or the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HgzVAwtaQrqzWLbgz1XygQ. Please note that Zoom is being used as a tool to funnel registrations, but that this workshop will be conducted in-person at the City of Satellite Beach Civic Center located at 565 Cassia Blvd., Satellite Beach, FL 32937).
Mangrove Dumping at the Lagoon House
While we appreciate efforts to deliver stranded mangroves to a good home, please do not leave mangroves at the Lagoon House without first confirming a drop off with an MRC staff member. Please call us at 321-725-7775 to ensure that someone will be able to receive the mangroves. When dropping off mangroves, please ensure they are in a pot as opposed to a tank, solo cup, or other miscellaneous items.

Thank you!
The Lagoon House is open to the public by appointment only

Call us at 321-725-7775 to schedule an appointment

Stay Safe Lagoon Lovers!
Events' Calendar
February 1 - Lunch & Learn: What You Plant Matters
February 5 - Hook Kids on Fishing
February 24 - Sea Turtle Friendly Lighting Workshop 
March 5 - Downtown Melbourne Botanical Fest - Rain Barrel Workshop
Visit us at www.SaveTheIRL.org
Marine Resources Council
3275 Dixie Hwy NE, Palm Bay, FL 3905 | (321) 725-7775 | www.SaveTheIRL.org