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Marine Resources Council Set to Induct First Class of Legends of the Indian River Lagoon Hall of Fame

By  //  October 1, 2022

12 Legends will be inducted on Nov. 4

The Marine Resources Council has selected the first inductees to the Legends of the Indian River Lagoon, a new hall of fame. The first 12 Legends will be inducted Fri., Nov. 4, at the MRC annual Love Our Lagoon Celebration at the Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Marine Resources Council has selected the first inductees to the Legends of the Indian River Lagoon, a new hall of fame.

The first 12 Legends will be inducted Fri., Nov. 4, at the MRC annual Love Our Lagoon Celebration at the Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The inaugural inductees are:

■ Ais Indigenous People, the “Ays” was the native tribe of the Indian River Lagoon

■ Diane Barile, environmental planner and fierce Indian River Lagoon advocate and activist

■ Virginia H. Barker, Director, Brevard County Natural Resources Department

■ Dr. Duane De Freese, Executive Director, Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program

■ Jonathan Dickinson, a shipwreck survivor who wrote firsthand about the Ais Indigenous People

■ Maggy Hurchulla, fierce southern lagoon environmental warrior

■ Dr. Grant Gilmore, Senior Scientist, Estuarine, Coastal and Ocean Science, Inc.

■ Paul Kroegel, the leader in protecting lagoon’s Pelican Island, first of 567 National Wildlife Refuges

■ Mark Perry, 30-year Executive Director, Florida Oceanographic Society

■ Nathaniel “Nat” Pryor Reed, the leader in protecting 10 million acres of Florida natural lands

■ Jim and Jonnie Swann, philanthropic couple; leaders in responsible community development

■ Laurilee Thompson, fourth-generation commercial fisher and staunch environmental leader

Come learn about Brevard's earliest people, the Ais Indians, from a great lineup of speakers. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
The Marine Resources Council has selected the first inductees to the Legends of the Indian River Lagoon, a new hall of fame. Among the inaugural inductees are the Ais Indigenous People, the “Ays,” a native tribe of the Indian River Lagoon (Image for Space Coast Daily)

“The Legends of the Indian River Lagoon are the people, organizations, and projects that should be long remembered for protecting, restoring, uniting, and promoting Florida’s east-central coastal community,” explained MRC Executive Director Leesa Souto, Ph.D.

The stories of the Legends will be shared through social and news media and honored at the MRC headquarters campus at the Ted Moorhead Lagoon House visitor and environmental learning center.

Since 1990, MRC members and volunteers have worked together to create SEA Change: Science + Education + Action.

Those interested in attending the Love Our Lagoon Celebration, knowing more about the Legends of the IRL, and those nominated for the MRC annual Conservation Awards, may visit SaveTheIRL.org or phone 321-725-7775.

First Legends of the Indian River Lagoon Hall of Fame to be Inducted Nov. 4 in MelbourneRelated Story:
First Legends of the Indian River Lagoon Hall of Fame to be Inducted Nov. 4 in Melbourne

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