While water quality is improving, seagrass is continuing to die. Florida needs to broaden water quality testing immediately. Our state water districts currently determine water quality based on: Phosphorus, nitrogen and chlorophyll-a, factors in measuring excess algae, and Turbidity, a measurement of water clarity. For many years, when water quality improved, seagrass health did too. That is changing. Seagrass is the essence of life in the Indian River Lagoon coastal community of east-central Florida, not just for manatee, but for the entire regional ecosystem. Tourism, recreation, fishing, home values, space and other industries, and human health are at risk if the lifeblood of our community becomes an underwater desert. Much is happening; further, urgent action is needed now in this regard!
Similar to last year and in keeping with one of our last $3,000 budgeted contributions, for 2024, the Conservancy recently designated the following:
- 1,000 towards the International Coastal Cleanup Day of September 21.
- 1,000 towards a new formatted Indian River Lagoon Report Card to be released on November 18.
- 1,000 general mission
The Marine Resource Council’s mission is to restore balance to the IRL coastal communities of east central Florida. The new executive director, Dr. Laura Wilson, is aware of our major donor support.
This year MRC hosted the 21st Action Assembly at Florida Institute of Technology (another one of our partners).Â
MRC is hosting a low impact development conference on November 4.
