Prioritizing Our OceansWorld Oceans Day on June 8th gives us the opportunity to reflect on the importance of our oceans, and what we must do to protect them. The oceans are our planet’s life support system. They feeds billions of people around the world, drive our climate, absorb heat and carbon dioxide, and produce 70% of the oxygen we breathe. All life on Earth depends on the oceans, and now our oceans depend on each and every one of us. We must make changes now, to curb the effects our actions have on the health of the oceans, before it is too late.
Every piece of trash we pick up is one less on our beaches. Do your part for the environment by joining us for a beach cleanup on June 15 at 9:30am, and put your stewardship into action.
Can’t make it to one of our cleanup events? The MyCoast app is a great way to record your personal cleanup crusade.
Environmental stewardship meets creativity! Constructed entirely out of recycled trash found on local beaches, these works of art created by Martin County residents explore our persistent use of plastics—some carry a tongue-in-cheek message, but all make a powerful statement on the hold plastic has on our society. View this pop-up exhibit all month long in the Ocean EcoCenter.
PBS ECOSENSEEvery weekend in June we will be showing select episodes of PBS EcoSense For Living, a thought-provoking series that gives viewers practical solutions on eco-topics. Episodes will focus on the health of our oceans and the impact we have on them.
Join us every Saturday and Sunday in June at 12pm in the Ocean Exploration Lab.
SEAGRASS MATTINGHelp us create seagrass mats that will be used to restore seagrass meadows in the Indian River Lagoon. This project is an integral part of our FOSTER (Florida Oceanographic Seagrass Training Education Restoration) program.
SENATE BILL 2508With NOAA predicting an “above-normal” hurricane season in the Atlantic, there is no doubt we will see more discharges from Lake Okeechobee. And with more discharges comes worsening water quality and the potential for toxic algae blooms.
Now more than ever, it is crucial that we get common sense water policy for our waterways. But the window for this opportunity is closing fast. Right now Governor Ron DeSantis can act on behalf of the environment and clean water advocates everywhere by vetoing Senate Bill 2508—a bad bill that will handcuff the South Florida Water Management District’s ability to provide relief to our struggling estuaries and send the water south to the Everglades where it is needed most. It only takes a few minutes to make your voice heard. Send your message to Governor DeSantis now.
UPDATE ON LOSOMDue to an outpouring of comments from local stakeholders in the fight for clean water, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pushed back their initial release of Water Control Plan documents from May to July, 2022.
While it is encouraging to hear that they are still listening to feedback, we need to make sure that they continue to hear about the causes that matter from the voices that matter most—yours!
Let the Army Corps know why they need to get the LOSOM process right for the Treasure Coast. Tell them if they want to make real meaningful change to our water quality, and revitalize the Everglades, their plan must include ZERO discharges to the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary.
“I first helped with the seagrass matting that’s used to restore habitats in the Indian River Lagoon,” says Susan. “At an orientation session I heard about other volunteer opportunities and chose the Exhibit Guide role since there seemed to be many similarities to teaching. Sharing knowledge makes the world a better place!”
VOLUNTEER INFO SESSIONSWhether you plan on volunteering, or just want to learn a little more about Florida Oceanographic, these sessions provide an introduction to our mission of inspiring environmental stewardship of Florida's coastal ecosystems through education, research and advocacy.
Florida Oceanographic Society's mission is to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education, research and advocacy.
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The Coastal Center is open 10:00am to 4:00pm, Wednesday - Sunday.
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