Forum on the Lagoon, IRNA's Latest Magazine, and more news
- IRNA
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
March 28, 2026 Weekly Newsletter
Register Now for the Land & Water Forum on April 25
If you care about the Indian River Lagoon, Blue Cypress Lake, or the future of water quality in Indian River County, there's an event you won't want to miss this spring, and tickets are on sale now.
The Indian River Neighborhood Association (IRNA), the Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County (CWC), and Pelican Island Audubon Society (PIAS) are hosting Land & Water: Issues & Solutions, a full-day public education forum on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Emerson Center (1590 27th Ave, Vero Beach).
The forum runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and features subject matter experts from some of the region's most respected institutions—including the Indian River Lagoon Council, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Marine Resources Council, Indian River Land Trust, the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg College, the City of Vero Beach, and Indian River County. Together, they'll tackle the issues at the heart of our environmental challenges: stormwater management, wastewater systems, biosolids, habitat restoration, low-impact development, and how we fund the solutions our lagoon and lakes desperately need.
How to Get Your Ticket
Tickets are $25 per person and include full-day admission to the program plus a boxed lunch. Registration is online—just head to the event page and click Get Tickets to reserve your spot. Students can attend for free. If you're a qualifying student, reach out to learn more.
Seating is limited, so don't wait until the last minute.
Why This Forum Matters
The Indian River Lagoon has been in decline for years—algae blooms, seagrass loss, fish kills, and degraded water quality have taken a serious toll on the ecosystem and on the communities that depend on it. Events like this one give residents the chance to hear directly from the experts, understand what's driving these problems, and learn what local and state government actions could actually turn things around.
This isn't a fundraiser or a political rally—it's a community education event designed to give you the facts and the context to become a more informed advocate for the places we live.
Register today and help us fill the Emerson Center on April 25.
PFAS Well Water Testing
IRNA is offering free, certified lab testing for PFAS ("forever chemicals") in private drinking water wells. Sign up, submit your water sample, and get your results, plus learn what they mean for your health.
Join our upcoming informational webinar to get started:
Open to Indian River County home and business owners on private wells only (not connected to municipal water). Questions? Contact Missy@IndianRiverNA.com
New here? If this was forwarded to you, we'd love to have you join our community! Click here to sign up and receive our newsletter weekly.
Join the IRNA in building a stronger voice for our community. Your support empowers us to safeguard our natural resources, demand transparency from elected officials, and champion the changes we need to see—together, we can create lasting impact.
IRNA's Spring 2026 Magazine Is Here
And It's One You'll Want to Read Cover to Cover
Have you seen the Indian River Neighborhood Association's Spring 2026 News Magazine? If not, you should!
This issue is packed with the kind of substantive, locally focused content you simply won't find anywhere else. Meet Missy Weiss, IRNA's new Chief Science Officer, whose background in biological oceanography and seven years with ORCA make her exactly the kind of expert our lagoon needs in its corner. Learn about ORCA's Land to Sea Program and the promising new Backyard Runoff Mitigation Study that could change how waterfront homeowners approach lawn care. Discover what PFAS "forever chemicals" are, why they've already turned up in local water supplies, and how IRNA is stepping up to fill the testing gaps the government has left behind.
The Indian River Land Trust's Ken Grudens walks readers through an exciting expansion of conservation efforts, from new shoreline acquisitions to the beautiful Coastal Oaks Preserve that's being transformed into a living classroom for the whole community. Scientists Dr. Bill Loftus and Dr. Grant Gilmore shine a light on the rare tropical fish and shrimp living in our local rivers and canals that most residents have never even heard of. And Olivia Roddenberry brings genuine hope with the story of the Florida Scrub-Jay's comeback in Indian River County, from about 10 birds to more than 110 over the past 26 years. (The lovely cover shot is a Florida Scrub Jay by Pelican Island Audubon's Bob Montanaro.)
There's also a frank look at Florida's 2026 legislative session, a plainspoken explainer on why Home Rule matters to every resident, a preview of the April 25 Land & Water Issues & Solutions forum mentioned above, and more.
Want to be on the mailing list? Become a member and support IRNA today at www.indianriverna.com/join. Your membership helps fund everything from the magazine's design and printing to the advocacy, science, and community events that make IRNA's work possible. The magazine is just one of the perks, the real reward is knowing you're part of a community that shows up for this place we're all lucky enough to call home.
Indian River County mourns two public employees killed in shooting (Sebastian Daily) - Indian River County is mourning the deaths of longtime public works employees Danny Ooley and Stacie Mason following a fatal shooting that remains under investigation by local law enforcement.
Texas firm sues Vero Beach podcasters, GOP leaders for defamation over false ‘Muslim takeover’ claims (Sebastian Daily) - Texas property management firm EPIC ESTATES FL LLC and its principal have filed a defamation lawsuit against several podcasters and local Republican officials, alleging a coordinated smear campaign that falsely linked a $30 million development project to a radical Islamic plot.
Multiple candidates enter race for Indian River County Commission District 2 seat (Sebastian Daily) - The retirement of four-term Republican Commissioner Joe Flescher has sparked a competitive race for the Indian River County Commission District 2 seat, drawing a diverse field of candidates that includes Sebastian Vice Mayor Bob McPartlan, former Moms for Liberty chapter president Jennifer Pippin, physician Melissa Dean, and truck driver Robert Hardingham.
STEP waste system will be expanded to new areas outside city (Vero News) - The Vero Beach City Council has unanimously approved the expansion of its Septic Tank Effluent Pump system into unincorporated parts of Indian River County to reduce nitrogen runoff and protect the Indian River Lagoon's ecosystem.
Indian River Mall demolition to begin soon; to become 250,000-square-foot outdoor retail hub (Sebastian Daily) - The Indian River Mall in Vero Beach is set to undergo demolition of its Sears and Macy’s wings to make way for a 250,000-square-foot outdoor retail hub featuring a Sprouts Farmers Market, while the AMC Theater and food court remain operational during the transition.
Missed Cocktails & Conservation? You'll Want to Watch This
If you weren't able to join us for our recent Cocktails & Conservation event, you missed an exceptional presentation. But the good news is you can still catch it! Dr. Duane DeFreeze, Executive Director of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, delivered a compelling deep-dive into both the ecological crisis facing the lagoon and the staggering economic stakes involved. In a newly released study, the lagoon's total annual economic output is estimated at $28.3 billion, supporting over 128,000 jobs and providing $10 billion in ecosystem services like flood protection and water filtration. The presentation shows how the Lagoon is the foundation of our regional economy.
Dr. DeFreeze doesn't sugarcoat the challenges, rapid population growth, aging infrastructure, and over 300,000 septic tanks continue to fuel nutrient pollution in one of the most ecologically sensitive estuaries in the country. But he also brings what he calls "guarded optimism": algal bloom intensity has been trending down since 2021, seagrass is beginning to return in some areas, and the return on investment for restoration work averages 24 to 1. Fixing the lagoon's "plumbing" will cost an estimated $4 to $6 billion but the cost of doing nothing is far greater. Take an hour and watch this one. It's worth your time.
Rural Florida: Pave it or save it? (VoteWater.org) - In this opinion piece, Gil Smart argues that Florida legislators are undermining their own vows to protect rural areas by supporting pro-sprawl development bills that facilitate the urbanization of agricultural land.
At 71 Years Old, Romeo Is The Oldest Manatee Ever Recorded According To Guinness World Records (IFLScience) - Romeo, a resident of Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Florida, has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest recorded manatee at an estimated age of 71.
Kicking off Sea Turtle Nesting Season in Indian River County (Indian River Guardian) - Indian River County has officially entered its eight-month sea turtle nesting season, prompting local officials to remind residents and visitors to keep beaches dark, flat, and clean to protect nesting leatherback, loggerhead, and green sea turtles.
Millions in Florida Told To Stay Out of The Water (Newsweek) - The National Weather Service is urging millions of Florida beachgoers to stay out of the water or swim near lifeguards as dangerous rip currents and southward-flowing longshore currents threaten the Atlantic coast through the weekend.
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