Catania Product Development Partners with Marine Resources Council for Mangrove Workshop

MRC is dedicated to conserving and restoring Florida’s coastal ecosystems

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA—Catania Product Development, a product design and engineering firm in Melbourne, Florida, recently held its third annual company-wide Corporate Volunteer Day event with the Marine Resources Council (MRC).

MRC is a Brevard-based nonprofit dedicated to conserving and restoring Florida’s coastal ecosystems.

This event, held on November 1, brought together the Catania and MRC teams for a hands-on Mangrove Workshop focused on preserving and enhancing the region’s natural environment.

Catania Product Development incorporates sustainability and supporting the local community in its core company values.

“Our family lives on our boat and experiences the benefit of thriving mangroves firsthand. We’re thrilled to have worked alongside the Marine Resources Council to support preserving Florida’s precious coastal ecosystems,” said Stefanie Catania, CEO of Catania Product Development.

“Giving back to the community is an integral part of our values, and this event was a wonderful way for our employees to make a real difference for our environment.”

The Catania team, comprised of engineers and program managers, was focused on efficiency during this annual event.

“They are the most productive workshop group we have all year,” says Mara Skadden, Director of Science at MRC.“We have a recurring need for volunteers and host two mangrove workshops a month.”

The MRC hosts Mangrove workshops on the third Friday of each month in Palm Bay and the fourth Saturday of each month in Sebastian.

MRC’s aquatic nursery currently has over 7,000 mangroves in production including red, white, and black mangrove varieties. MRC cultivates mangroves from seedlings to mature 12-foot-tall trees. Mangroves benefit the environment by filtering the water, creating a healthy habitat for fish, and protecting the shoreline.

“It will take a community to save the Lagoon, working at all levels,” said Dr. Laura Wilson, Executive Director at MRC.

The MRC is a not-for-profit organization that thrives on community support. On February 7, 2025, the organization will host its largest fundraiser of the year, the “Love our Lagoon” celebration. Tickets are on sale now at HERE.

In addition, in a continued commitment to giving back to the community, Catania is hosting its 4^th annual “Live Local, Give Local” gala on December 7, at the Melbourne Yacht Club.

The event organizer and Catania Product Development Program Manager Karen Dawson says, “We have donated over $23,000 in the last few years to the South Brevard Sharing Center.  These funds go to critical programs that help underemployed people gain self-sufficiency, providing a hand up, not a handout, to help those in need build a solid foundation. We are excited and thankful for the support of our friends and colleagues in our effort to make this event the best yet!”

This event is open to the public. Tickets are on sale now at HERE.

About Catania Product Development
Catania Product Development is a Brevard-based startup that focuses on artistic designs that elevate the user’s experience. Their team is passionate about their projects, resulting in designs that the end-user will love and delivering engineering services efficiently and productively. To learn more about Catania Product Development, CLICK HERE.

About the Marine Resources Council
The Marine Resources Council (MRC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and preserving Florida’s coastal ecosystems. MRC works through science, advocacy, and education to safeguard the health of the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding waters, home to a rich diversity of marine life. To learn more about MRC’s programs and initiatives, CLICK HERE.

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