ABOVE VIDEO: “A Day on the Indian River Lagoon” in Brevard County with Laurilee Thompson, owner of Dixie Crossroads, and passionate guardian and advocate of the Space Coast environment.
‘Hands Across the Lagoon’ Planned Statewide In Sept.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Environmental groups from around Brevard County recently assembled at Brevard Zoo to discuss the importance of improving the health of the Indian River Lagoon.
Friends of Ulumay and Preserve Brevard hosted an evening with Capt. Rodney Smith, whose presentation urged audience members to keep up the fight to make people aware of the importance the health of the Indian River Lagoon.
“Not only fishermen reap the benefits of the Indian River lagoon,” Smith said.
“It’s a way of life here that the Indian River Lagoon supplies. Many species are supported by the Lagoon and we need to fight to keep it clean.”
Attending the event were groups including the Audubon Society, Brevard Nature Alliance and Keep Brevard Beautiful.
“It’s devastating what is happening to our lagoon,” said Laurilee Thompson of Dixie Crossroads in Titusville.
“It’s devastating what is happening to our lagoon,” said Laurilee Thompson of Dixie Crossroads in Titusville.
“There have been a few events recently that were attended by diverse segments of our environmental organizations. They have all been extremely well-attended and that sends a clear message that our community wants to fix our Indian River Lagoon.”
The health of the Indian River Lagoon has been an issue that has been gathering media attention in news outlets across the country.
“The fact that metropolitan newspapers have covered the declining health of the Lagoon shows you that this issue is very important,” said Mike Badarack, well-known fishing guide from Satellite Beach.
“There are several factors at work here: Stormwater runoff; septic leakage; fertilizer and accumulated biomass from the loss of habitat. Our Lagoon is almost depleted and we need to reverse this trend.”
Several “Hands Across the Lagoon” events will be held throughout Florida Sept. 28 at 9 a.m., including a lineup across the Melbourne Causeway and a lineup across the Titusville Causeway.
For more information, contact Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, at 321-722-5363, or e-mail khill@sjrwmd.com.