Photo Credit - Sharon Smeenk - Kayaking on the Indian River |
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Have you been enjoying our changing headers? Want to showcase one of your Lagoon photos? Then email the MRC by clicking here! Please use landscape orientation! |
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And so are fertilizer restrictions... |
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Starting June 1st until September 30th, fertilizer restrictions will be activated! This means that in Brevard County, Indian River County, Martin County, and Volusia County, ANY lawn fertilizer that contains nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) is PROHIBITED.
Unfortunately, it is not illegal to sell or purchase noncompliant fertilizers so it is important that YOU to be Lagoon Heroes and spread the word to your neighbors, friends, family members, and lawn care companies.
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Patrick Rose, Executive Director of Save the Manatee Club, and
Dr. Leesa Souto, Executive Director of the Marine Resources Council, humbly invites you to join them in releasing this vital lagoon health update, examining the next bold steps for restoring water quality, improving habitat, and safeguarding manatees.
Areas of concern: Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martino, & Palm Beach Counties.
Thursday, June 3, 2021, to accommodate demand and scheduling, we are pleased to present the same material during a 12 p.m. lunch and a 6:30 p.m. dinner session.
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Thank you, Wilhelmina Angel,
for leaving a Lagoon Legacy!
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Marine Resources Council recently benefitted from the estate of Wilhelmina (Willie) Angel, pictured here. Willie and her late husband, Bill, lived along the Lagoon and boated regularly. They were active MRC members who participated in numerous restoration projects, including planting a living shoreline at their residence.
Willie was extremely concerned about the decline of the Lagoon's water quality and it was her final wish that a portion of her estate be put toward restoring it. In particular, the funds were directed to MRC's unfunded LagoonWatch program and the Report Card.
Today, MRC purchased an analyzer to increase bacterial monitoring in the Lagoon's tributaries. MRC will partner with the Space Coast Surfrider Chapter to expand their network and share data. The bacteria analyzer will be put to good use every day as an enduring symbol of Willie's commitment to water quality in the Indian River Lagoon.
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Photo Credit: Joel Cohen under NOAA research permit #20626 |
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Celebrate Endangered Species Day by Supporting Our
North Atlantic Right Whale Program
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The 2021 right whale calving season came and went with plenty to be grateful for, but not without its sad news as well. We welcomed 17 calves this year - more in a single year than we've seen since 2013. At least 13 of those mothers have been spotted with their calf in Cape Cod Bay for the feeding season.
Unfortunately, scientists believe that the population won't recover unless we see 25-30 calves born in a single season... repeatedly. On Feb. 13th a dead 1-month-old calf washed up in Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine. The calf died from being struck by a 54-foot fishing vessel at dusk the night before. MRC also joined Blue World Research Institute in responding to a chronically entangled right whale (Cottontail) off Melbourne Beach on Feb. 18th. While the tagging operation was successful, the whale succumbed to its injuries about 9 days later.
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Why are mangroves important to mangrove communities and the world? |
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Our friends at the Mangrove Action Project (MAP) are hosting their annual International Children's Mangrove Art Contest and we want you to get involved! This year the theme is, "Why are mangroves important to mangrove communities and the world?". This is a unique and engaging opportunity to use art to introduce youth to the marvelous mangrove! To participate, you must be between the ages of 6-16, and the picture must be colorful, produced on A3 paper (18in x 12in), and it must be in landscape orientation. Only one submission per person and the deadline is July 31st.
For more information, click the buttons below!
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May Lunch & Learn Webinar
Endangered Sawfish of Florida: Past, Present, and Future Look
Presented by Tonya Wiley
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Join us for our May Lunch & Learn Webinar on the endangered sawfish! Sawfish are large shark-like rays that once were relatively common in Florida's coastal waters, including the Indian River Lagoon. Now, Florida's smalltooth sawfish is endangered and scientists are striving to learn as much as possible about this iconic and fascinating fish. During the presentation, you'll learn interesting facts about sawfish, updates on current research projects, explanations of management tools such as the Endangered Species Act, descriptions of ways you can be involved in the recovery of sawfish, and other information about the unique and endangered smalltooth sawfish! So register today to reserve your spot!
The seminar will end with a live Q&A session, but we also recommend that participants to please email any questions you might have that relate to this topic to the MRC's Nicole Broquet at nicole@mrcirl.org by April 30th.
This is a free virtual event, but you must register to receive the zoom link and login information. If you are having technical difficulties, we will be live streaming it through the MRC's Facebook page and recording the presentation for future viewing!
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Amazon Smile - It Just Got Easier to Support the MRC! |
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At no extra cost to you, if you shop on AmazonSmile and/or use the Amazon app, you can help support the MRC! Simply follow the instructions below to select "Marine Resources Council Of East Florida Inc" as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. Amazon will donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to the MRC!
How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features
3. Select "Marine Resources Council Of East Florida Inc" as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
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Events
The Lagoon House will remain closed to the public through the summer for our camp. We are still here doing the hard work of saving the Lagoon and we can be available by telephone if you need us.
Stay safe Lagoon Lovers!
Call us at 321-725-7775 to schedule an appointment.
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May 21st: Endangered Species Day
June 6th: FIRST DAY OF SUMMER CAMP!!!
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