One Lagoon - Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program

10/21/2026

Sea turtle nights, guided nature tours, and seasonal wildlife experiences are bringing people closer to Florida’s natural spaces.

Discover how Martin County uses tourism revenue to fund free ecotourism programs that inspire people to explore and protect the environment.

Listen today on OneLagoon.org

10/19/2026

We’re excited to see the collaboration between Little Growers Inc. and Florida Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) highlighted in Florida Today! Together, they’re connecting science, environmental sustainability, and hands-on learning to create meaningful opportunities for local youth and residents. From greener neighborhoods to building environmental awareness, this partnership demonstrates what’s possible when community leadership and university research come together to make a difference.

We’ll see you at Make A Green Noise on Saturday, October 23.




Little Growers INC

Florida Tech and members of Little Growers working on planting and maintenance at native prairie garden at Stone Magnet Middle School in Melbourne. See link below ⬇️

📸 Tim Shortt, FLORIDA TODAY

10/19/2026

Wetlands provide fish habitat, store carbon, and help protect shorelines from storm surge and wave energy.

In the newest episode of *One Lagoon, One Voice*, wetland restoration expert Ron Brockmeyer discusses how reconnecting wetlands supports the health and resilience of the Indian River Lagoon.

Listen now on OneLagoon.org!

10/18/2026

GPS technology is helping reduce the cost of Indian River Lagoon wetland restoration, allowing more habitat to be restored with available funding.

Hear Ron Brockmeyer of the St. Johns River Water Management District explain how restoration methods have evolved in the newest episode of *One Lagoon, One Voice*.

Listen now on OneLagoon.org

10/17/2026

Light pollution is not one of the Indian River Lagoon’s biggest threats...nutrient pollution, stormwater runoff, algal blooms, poor water clarity, and habitat loss are more significant.

However, artificial light at night can disrupt feeding, hiding, migration, reproduction, and predator–prey interactions, potentially affecting the lagoon’s food web.

Waterfront properties can reduce impacts by:
- Turning off unnecessary lights
- Using warm/amber lighting instead of blue-white
- Shielding fixtures and directing light downward
- Keeping lights low and away from the water
- Closing blinds facing nesting beaches

photo credit: E. Irvin


Zapata, M.J., Sullivan, S.M.P. & Gray, S.M. Artificial Lighting at Night in Estuaries—Implications from Individuals to Ecosystems. Estuaries and Coasts 42, 309–330 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-018-0479-3

Becker, A., Whitfield, A.K., Cowley, P.D., Järnegren, J. and Næsje, T.F. (2013), Potential effects of artificial light associated with anthropogenic infrastructure on the abundance and foraging behaviour of estuary-associated fishes. J Appl Ecol, 50: 43-50. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12024

Marangoni LFB, Davies T, Smyth T, Rodríguez A, Hamann M, Duarte C, Pendoley K, Berge J, Maggi E, Levy O. Impacts of artificial light at night in marine ecosystems-A review. Glob Chang Biol. 2022 Sep;28(18):5346-5367. doi: 10.1111/gcb.16264. Epub 2022 Jun 14. PMID: 35583661; PMCID: PMC9540822.

10/15/2026

Thousands of acres of Indian River Lagoon wetlands are being reconnected to restore natural water flow and habitat.

In the newest episode of One Lagoon, One Voice, Ron Brockmeyer of the St. Johns River Water Management District discusses decades of wetland restoration and its benefits for the lagoon.

Listen now on OneLagoon.org!

10/15/2026

How much do you know about the Indian River Lagoon?

From seagrasses and mangroves to manatees, dolphins, fish, birds, and countless tiny organisms, the Indian River Lagoon is home to an incredible diversity of life.

Explore it for yourself with the Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory — a searchable resource for discovering the species that call the lagoon home.

Whether you’re a nature lover, student, educator, researcher, or just curious about your local waters, there’s something new to discover.

Explore the species of the lagoon: Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory at https://www.irlspecies.org/index.php

Photo credits: L. Thompson, L. Simpson, F. Catino, D. Martin

10/14/2026

Friendly Reminder: Our next webinar features Elyse Geraghty of the Manatee Center! We hope you’ll join us to learn something new about our amazing Indian River Lagoon.

Save your spot by registering here: https://tinyurl.com/3cccbse7, share this post, and tell a friend! The more lagoon lovers, the better.

10/13/2026

How can cities improve stormwater quality when space is limited?

The City of Melbourne uses underground baffle boxes to capture pollutants before they reach the Indian River Lagoon. Now, the city is preparing for its next major project.

🎙️ Hear Assistant City Engineer Dani Straub discuss the technology and its impact on lagoon water quality in the newest episode of One Lagoon, One Voice.

Listen now on Apple or Spotify, or visit our website!

10/12/2026

Happy National Wildlife Refuge Week! Thanks to President Theodore Roosevelt, who established Pelican Island in 1903 as the nation’s first national wildlife refuge, America’s National Wildlife Refuge System was born!

October 10–17, 2026, we celebrate the incredible wildlife refuges and protected lands that preserve our natural heritage, protect wildlife, and connect us to the beauty of the places we call home.

Along the Indian River Lagoon, we’re fortunate to have some truly extraordinary natural treasures!

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge: Established in 1903 as the nation’s FIRST national wildlife refuge, Pelican Island represents a historic milestone in wildlife conservation. Right here in the Indian River Lagoon, it continues to provide vital habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge: A remarkable sanctuary along the Indian River Lagoon, where diverse habitats support hundreds of species of birds, manatees, sea turtles, and countless other animals.

Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge: A globally important nesting area for threatened and endangered sea turtles, this coastal refuge helps protect the sandy beaches these incredible creatures depend on for survival.

Canaveral National Seashore: With its beautiful undeveloped beaches, coastal dunes, and lagoon habitats, this protected stretch of Florida’s Atlantic coast provides essential habitat for wildlife while preserving the natural beauty of our shoreline.

These special places are more than beautiful landscapes. They protect the interconnected ecosystems that sustain the Indian River Lagoon, support incredible biodiversity, and preserve Florida’s natural legacy for future generations.

Have you visited any of these incredible places? Share your favorite wildlife refuge or a memorable wildlife encounter in the comments!