Marine Resources Council's Monthly Email Newsletter

August 1st, 2026

Back-To-School Edition

Dear Patricia,

Every career change comes with adjustments, but I didn't expect the hardest one to be forgetting what month it is. My transition from academia to MRC two years ago brought plenty of personal and professional changes, yet one of the most jarring was losing the school calendar I'd operated on my entire life. After K-12, college, (way too many) years in graduate school, and twelve years as a professor, August has always meant back-to-school. 

Having a nine-year-old son means the new school year energy still permeates August at home, but I do find it missing at work. This isn’t due to lack of learning and teaching, but rather that I’m no longer in a world where the back-to-school feeling depends on the start of a semester. Now, that feeling depends on curiosity, and curiosity doesn't retire, graduate, or take a summer off. Looking back, some of my most engaged students weren't majors in my department, they were the ones who had their interest sparked by a course that was just a graduation requirement; or people who fell in love with fossil-hunting as a side quest.

I see that same curiosity and passion everywhere at MRC. It’s in the volunteer who's been monitoring the same stretch of shoreline for a decade and still gets excited about water quality data. It’s in the donor who wants to know about the science, not just the restoration. It’s in the teenager who’s normally too cool for school but doesn’t stop asking questions on a field trip. And I see it in myself as I have the opportunity to build new skills and knowledge every day. Learning about the Lagoon isn't a phase you age out of—it's a habit you can keep for life.

This month, we want to celebrate you as a student of the Indian River Lagoon who has embraced continued learning about the world around you. Maybe you’ve attended one of the 30 presentations MRC staff have given so far this year, or are one of the 800 Lagoon at Noon viewers, maybe you have volunteered at one of the 42 events we’ve hosted, or are one of the thousands of community members that reads our newsletter each month. However you prefer to consume information, you’re an essential part of this culture of learning.

We have lots to offer in our special back-to-school newsletter. Here's what you'll find: 

• Interested in stormwater management and what our cities and communities are doing? Registration for our annual Low Impact Development Conference is now open! 
• In a reading slump? Check out the science and nature themed book recommendations from MRC staff! 
• Ready for some back-to-school style shopping that makes an impact? MRC staff have curated product lists to reduce plastics and harmful chemicals at home. 
• Have a tween or teen in your life? Share information about our Youth Action Assembly!
• More of a hands-on learner? Sign up to volunteer!
• Want to do more though advocacy? We have a homework assignment for fighting harmful policies. 

Education has always been at the center of how we protect the lagoon because you can’t ask people to fight for an ecosystem they don't understand. We thank you for being here.

Dr. Laura Wilson

Executive Director

For MRC, this is all part our of Low Impact Living initiative to spread stormwater education and advocacy. Interested in setting up a meeting? Just reach out to Laura@mrcirl.org. 

Registration for our 6th Annual Low Impact Development Conference is open! This year's conference focuses on projects supported by public-private partnerships, community-driven infrastructure, and innovated policies. And don't miss our pre-conference field trip!

Want to increase your impact? Register for a sponsorship or exhibitor package! Reach out to Laura@mrcirl.org with any questions or ideas for partnerships. 

 Nitrates are one form of nutrient pollution that can affect the IRL. Within the nitrogen cycle, nitrates are the form that is "bio-available", meaning plants can take up the nitrates and use them to fuel their growth. However, if the amount of nitrates exceeds what the ecosystem needs, it can trigger harmful algal blooms (HABs) and fish kills. Nitrate pollution comes from stormwater runoff, which can be contaminated by fertilizers and wastewater. 

This month, two LagoonWatch sites reported slightly elevated surface water nitrate values. While our volunteers usually see very low nitrate concentrations, these findings line up with increasing stormwater runoff into the IRL with the increase in rain. Keep an eye on upcoming LagoonWatch reports as we head further into storm season! 

Back-to-school shopping is an inevitable part of the new year. Rather than a list with calculators and pencils that may elicit groans from new students, we're sharing some of our staff favorites. These staff-favorite books and eco-friendly swaps are a great way to take a dip into the world of Low Impact Development!