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The Brevard Zoo plays an integral role in Indian River Lagoon restoration
Read full article: The Brevard Zoo plays an integral role in Indian River Lagoon restorationThe Brevard Zoo is a draw for visitors from across Central Florida. But one of the zoo’s core missions is to make a difference closer to home. A portion of every ticket sold goes toward the Restore Our Shores program.
Indian River Lagoon tax could be extended 10 more years if county commission lets voters weigh in
Read full article: Indian River Lagoon tax could be extended 10 more years if county commission lets voters weigh inThe tax that helps clean the polluted Indian River Lagoon doesn't expire for two more years, but some are already calling for extending the half-cents penny sales tax another 10 years.
Florida environmental agency battles with group over manatees, sewage in federal court
Read full article: Florida environmental agency battles with group over manatees, sewage in federal courtThe Florida Department of Environmental Protection and an environmental group are battling in a federal lawsuit about whether the state violated the Endangered Species Act because of sewage discharges into part of the Indian River Lagoon that is a key area for manatees.
Conservation group uses drone to drop millions of clams into Indian River Lagoon
Read full article: Conservation group uses drone to drop millions of clams into Indian River LagoonProgress was made Friday in Coastal Conservation Association Florida’s “billion clam initiative,” with the drone-assisted deployment of millions of clams in the Indian River Lagoon.
Good Samaritan rescues man, woman, dog from capsized boat near Melbourne Causeway
Read full article: Good Samaritan rescues man, woman, dog from capsized boat near Melbourne CausewayA man, a woman and a dog were rescued by a good Samaritan after their boat capsized in the Indian River Lagoon on Saturday, according to police.
‘Cautiously very good news:’ Experts say manatee conditions improving in Indian River Lagoon
Read full article: ‘Cautiously very good news:’ Experts say manatee conditions improving in Indian River LagoonManatee conditions are starting to show some signs of improvement in the Indian River Lagoon, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
‘We’re using nature’s filtration systems:’ Volusia group works to clean up Indian River Lagoon
Read full article: ‘We’re using nature’s filtration systems:’ Volusia group works to clean up Indian River LagoonThe Riverside Conservancy has been working to get results for the Indian River Lagoon and biologists around Central Florida say their work is helping clean up the waterway.
Barge in Brevard County turning harmful algae into helpful resource
Read full article: Barge in Brevard County turning harmful algae into helpful resourceFloating along the Indian River Lagoon sits a bright 110-foot barge working to make Brevard waterways healthier, by targeting and harvesting algae.
Melbourne arts district to host audiovisual performance starring Indian River Lagoon
Read full article: Melbourne arts district to host audiovisual performance starring Indian River LagoonSounds of the Lagoon is an audiovisual experience created to highlight the importance of the Indian River Lagoon on both a local and global scale.
‘Not out of the woods:’ Manatee death numbers improve along Central Florida coast
Read full article: ‘Not out of the woods:’ Manatee death numbers improve along Central Florida coastThe Indian River Lagoon accounted for the majority of the deaths in the state in the last two years, mostly because of its poor water quality. Now, biologists tell News 6 they're finally starting to see conditions improve.
Florida leaders energize efforts to replace leaking septic systems to save marine life
Read full article: Florida leaders energize efforts to replace leaking septic systems to save marine lifeTwo state leaders are energizing efforts to clean the waters of the Indian River Lagoon in an attempt to save dying marine life.
Despite slight decrease, biologists expect manatee deaths to continue into 2023
Read full article: Despite slight decrease, biologists expect manatee deaths to continue into 2023While 2022 did not prove to be as deadly for Florida’s manatees as 2021, researchers said the animals are still in trouble, especially in the Indian River Lagoon.
Florida wildlife officials OK no-entry zone for manatees in Brevard County
Read full article: Florida wildlife officials OK no-entry zone for manatees in Brevard CountyState wildlife officials Wednesday approved a seasonal no-entry zone in an area of Brevard County waters where manatees gather, while preparing for a second winter of feeding the sea cows to try to prevent deaths.
Florida seeks to protect manatees near power plant
Read full article: Florida seeks to protect manatees near power plantHoping to protect manatees as they congregate this winter, state wildlife officials issued an emergency rule that will temporarily prevent boating in an area of the Indian River Lagoon near a Florida Power & Light power plant.
Ian caused 7.2M-gallon sewage spill into Indian River Lagoon, Brevard leaders say
Read full article: Ian caused 7.2M-gallon sewage spill into Indian River Lagoon, Brevard leaders sayHurricane Ian led to sewage overflow seeping through manholes, flooding streets, and a 7.2 million-gallon spill into the Indian River Lagoon.
Red tide shows up at low levels in the Indian River Lagoon, causing concern for manatees
Read full article: Red tide shows up at low levels in the Indian River Lagoon, causing concern for manateesIn the wake of the worst year for manatee deaths on record, Florida wildlife officials last week found yet another potential killer of the threatened species in the Indian River Lagoon — red tide.
Florida, federal wildlife officials prepare to aid manatees ‘in the years to come’
Read full article: Florida, federal wildlife officials prepare to aid manatees ‘in the years to come’After a record number of manatee deaths mostly linked to malnutrition, state and federal wildlife officials hope to double rescue and rehabilitation capacity before the sea cows again congregate in warm waters during the winter.
US agrees to update critical habitat for Florida manatees
Read full article: US agrees to update critical habitat for Florida manateesU.S. wildlife officials have agreed to revise the critical habitat designation for Florida manatees, which have been dying in record numbers because water pollution is killing a main food source.
Celtics co-owner donates $2M to protect Florida manatees
Read full article: Celtics co-owner donates $2M to protect Florida manateesA co-owner of the Boston Celtics is donating $2 million toward protecting the Florida manatees and their habitat following two seasons of record-breaking manatee mortalities in the state.
Florida manatee feeding plan ends, starvation still an issue
Read full article: Florida manatee feeding plan ends, starvation still an issueThe unprecedented, experimental program to feed starving manatees in Florida is ending but the greater issue is the polluted water that causes the marine mammals to run out of their natural seagrass forage.
FWC focus on Indian River Lagoon as feeding efforts continue to save manatees
Read full article: FWC focus on Indian River Lagoon as feeding efforts continue to save manateesFlorida, Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission workers along with other organizations said they are hoping the warm weather will help with manatee mortality in the state.
Titusville eyes paying for sewage infrastructure projects with federal relief funds
Read full article: Titusville eyes paying for sewage infrastructure projects with federal relief fundsUnder increasing firefrom environmentalists for recent sewage spills impacting the beleaguered Indian River Lagoon, the city of Titusville is eyeing funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to cover the costs of a pending list of infrastructure plans.
Conservation groups to sue EPA over Florida manatee deaths
Read full article: Conservation groups to sue EPA over Florida manatee deathsThree conservation groups have filed formal notice of their intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency if it doesn't take steps to protect manatees from water pollution in Florida.
Brevard Zoo seeks oyster shells from Central Florida restaurants for Indian River Lagoon projects
Read full article: Brevard Zoo seeks oyster shells from Central Florida restaurants for Indian River Lagoon projectsThe Brevard Zoo is expanding its oyster shell program to begin accepting shells from Central Florida restaurants that go toward its efforts helping the Indian River Lagoon, according to zoo officials.
Volusia County explores seagrass regrowth as possible solution to save manatees
Read full article: Volusia County explores seagrass regrowth as possible solution to save manateesNearly 960 manatees have died this year in Florida, according to the latest data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
DeSantis announces more than $53M in funding to improve Indian River Lagoon
Read full article: DeSantis announces more than $53M in funding to improve Indian River LagoonGov. Ron DeSantis announced $116 million in grant funds the state is dedicating to water quality improvement projects with more than $53 million going toward improving the Indian River Lagoon in Brevard County.
Tiny dead fish are rotting the water from latest fish kill in Indian River Lagoon
Read full article: Tiny dead fish are rotting the water from latest fish kill in Indian River LagoonAn unusual amount of dead minnows and anchovies were spotted in Crane Creek, according to Dr. Leesa Souto of the Marine Resources Council.
Titusville sewage fallout could top half a million
Read full article: Titusville sewage fallout could top half a millionThe more than seven million gallons of sewage Titusville spilled into the environment just before Christmas last year could wind up costing the city more than a half-million dollars.
What Volusia County homeowners can do to help save the Indian River Lagoon
Read full article: What Volusia County homeowners can do to help save the Indian River LagoonConservationists and Volusia County homeowners are teaming up to help save manatees and other marine life in the Indian River Lagoon.
Disappearing seagrass hurting beloved manatees in Florida
Read full article: Disappearing seagrass hurting beloved manatees in FloridaThe situation is threatening a number of species, including manatees, who depend on seagrass for food. An expert who has spent 40 years studying manatees in Central Florida said dead manatees are being found with nearly nothing in their stomachs. Essentially, it’s an emergency.”Rose and others blame the seagrass loss for a spike in manatee deaths this winter. In all of 2020, there were 637 manatee deaths across Florida. AdThe Indian River Lagoon system stretches 165 miles from Volusia County south to Port St. Lucie.
Indian River Lagoon report: Water quality steady or improving while seagrass continues to decline
Read full article: Indian River Lagoon report: Water quality steady or improving while seagrass continues to declinePALM BAY, Fla. – Seagrass is disappearing from the Indian River Lagoon causing hungry manatees to have to migrate to find their food. It’s one of the concerning conclusions from Tuesday’s virtual presentation of the third annual lagoon report card. That score was before the river suffering new fish kills like Thanksgiving at State Road 520 in Merritt Island. After the 2016 fish kills, Brevard County voters approved paying hundreds of millions of dollars over 10 years for cleanup efforts. “I think that we have not reached a point of no return,” Dr. Souto said.
Indian River Lagoon fish kill reports continue to rise, worrying officials
Read full article: Indian River Lagoon fish kill reports continue to rise, worrying officialsBarbara Williams noticed an odor emanating from the ailing Indian River Lagoon on Saturday in Cocoa. And when she walked toward her dock at her Indian River Drive home, she spotted washed-up casualties from an ongoing algal bloom. The St. Johns River Water Management District and partner organizations continue receiving reports of fish kills in the Indian River Lagoon from the past few days, News 6 partner Florida Today reported. Low dissolved-oxygen concentrations have also been recorded in lagoon water in Titusville, SJRWMD officials reported Saturday. To report an Indian River Lagoon fish kill, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline at 800-636-0511 or visit the agency’s online fish kill report page.
New Indian River Lagoon report card expected to show more pollution concerns
Read full article: New Indian River Lagoon report card expected to show more pollution concernsPALM BAY, Fla. – A scientist will present the Marine Resources Council’s third annual report card scoring the health of the Indian River Lagoon and it’s once again expected to show continuing challenges. Since 2018, the Marine Resources Council has presented an annual lagoon report card. The report card scores each region of the lagoon on algae, seagrass, phosphorus, nitrogen and turbidity. The third annual report card will be presented on Dec. 8. Those interested in donating to the research can also contact the Marine Resources Council.
Algae blooms turn Indian River Lagoon green and stinky, again
Read full article: Algae blooms turn Indian River Lagoon green and stinky, againBREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Algae blooms are turning parts of the Indian River Lagoon green again in Brevard County. Brevard County Public Information Officer Don Walker said for the last couple weeks the weather conditions have helped and the county has not received reports of any major fish kills. On Sept. 11, county officials warned of a possible fish kill like the ones seen in 2016 and 2018 due to the wet weather in recent weeks. Brevard County voters approved a half-cent sales tax in 2011 to generate more than $400 million for restoration of the lagoon. Ron DeSantis signed bills designed to address environmental issues ranging from sea level rise to blue-green algae blooms.
Launch gives spectators pride, reprieve from troubled times
Read full article: Launch gives spectators pride, reprieve from troubled timesWe’re back in the race,” as the SpaceX rocket lifted through clouds above Kennedy Space Center. Saturday's launch was the first of NASA astronauts from Florida since 2011, when the space shuttle program ended, and the first by a private company. Many spectators had been there just days earlier on Wednesday for the first launch attempt, which was scrubbed due to the weather. At Space View Park in Titusville, few spectators wore masks and there wasn't much social distancing. “Now look at all the people who are here seeing astronauts leave from U.S. soil.”___Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter: @MikeSchneiderAP