Credit: S.E.A. a difference Environmental Services
VERO BEACH– “A Day in the Life of the Indian River Lagoon” is a community-based, citizen science, and experiential research program designed to have students, teachers, and environmental experts collaborate in the collection of water quality and biological inventories along the Indian River Lagoon. On October 4, 2018, approximately 2,000 students and teachers from over 30 schools, with the help of 32 natural resource expert organizations, will engage in hands-on science exploration at over 30 sampling sites along the Indian River Lagoon. Students, teachers, and volunteers will collect samples from Volusia to Palm Beach Counties representing the entire length of the Indian River Lagoon.
“A Day in the Life” features the simultaneous collection of scientific data by students using hands-on field techniques at various sites along the lagoon to learn firsthand how their local piece of the estuary fits into the larger ecosystem of the Indian River Lagoon. Students will examine chemical, physical, and biological parameters to generate a snapshot of the overall health of the aquatic ecosystem and biodiversity of the lagoon.
The “A Day in the Life of the Indian River Lagoon” event is coordinated and managed by S.E.A. a Difference Environmental Services.
Over 30 environmental partners such as, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida Oceanographic Society, Marine Discovery Center, US Fish & Wildlife, Marine Resource Council, Sea Turtle Preservation Society, Cocoa Beach Surfrider Foundation, Brevard County Parks & Recreation, Pelican Island Audubon Society, Florida Sea Grant, ORCA, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Brevard Zoo, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, St. Lucie County Oxbow Eco-Center, Loxahatchee River District, and more will work with students and teachers from more than 30 schools and groups from the northern region of the lagoon to the southern most region.
Program coordinator, Missy Weiss, says, “A Day in the Life of the Indian River Lagoon is designed to help students develop an appreciation for and knowledge of the Indian River Lagoon and the current health issues and stressors facing this estuary. It connects students to their natural world and allows them to become stewards of water quality and Florida’s diverse coastal ecosystems. The program also provides numerous opportunities for teachers to integrate various disciplines including math, language arts, social studies, art, and certainly science into curriculum.”
The program will be October 4,2018, and a date for rain scheduled October 5th. It will be held at waterfront locations along the Indian River Lagoon from Volusia to Palm Beach Counties. For specific schedules and sampling sites, please contact Missy Weiss at info@seaadifference.org. For more information, visit www.seaadifference.org.
This article was distributed through Treasure Coast Business, a news service for the readers and advertisers of Indian River Magazine.