Marine Resources Council's Monthly Email Newsletter

November 1st, 2025

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Lagoon lovers,

Just last week MRC’s science and restoration team spent the morning removing Brazilian peppertrees from the Lagoon House property in Palm Bay. Brazilian peppers are a highly invasive species that seem to grow back the moment you turn your back—some studies even show a 100% germination rate of seeds that are distributed by animals. It’s tough, sweaty work that makes a big difference at first, but won’t matter as much in the long run if the work isn’t maintained. As the crew cut and haul, I couldn’t help but think how much this work mirrors the challenge we all face in protecting the Indian River Lagoon.

Unfortunately, one-time fixes to restore the Lagoon won’t result in long term improvements to the ecosystem. If we don’t follow up—if we don’t maintain the progress—we will find ourselves right back where we started. Restoration, like any kind of healing, depends on consistency. Every fertilizer-free yard, every native garden, every choice to prevent runoff are our own versions of pulling out Brazilian peppertrees. But unless those choices become part of how we live day to day, the pressures on the Lagoon will continue.

At MRC, we’re learning that the most powerful actions happen not just through science and planting, but through habit and persistence. This is the difference between restoring (fixing past mistakes) and protecting (safeguarding the future). The Lagoon’s recovery will come from communities that make Lagoon-friendly behaviors routine—from neighbors who keep showing up, to communities that think about where their stormwater goes, to from families who teach their children that clean water is something we have a responsibility to protect .

As we look toward the close of the year, I find hope in the people who return to volunteer time after time, make financial investments in the Lagoon, and(or) who adjust their own lives to make space for the Lagoon’s well-being. You remind us that lasting change doesn’t happen overnight—it happens when we refuse to stop caring. Thank you for being part of that commitment. Together, we’re doing more than restoring shorelines—we’re restoring the daily rhythm of stewardship that will keep the Lagoon alive for generations to come.

With gratitude,

Dr. Laura Wilson

Executive Director

Last week, the Marine Resources Council hosted its 5th annual Low Impact Development Conference. This year's conference started with the inaugural half-day field trip to visit municipal and residential Low Impact Development project sites around Brevard County. Over the next two conference days, attendees heard talks from local partners, municipalities, and scientists on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions across the Lagoon. The conference included 20 presentations, including talks from MRC's own Dr. Laura Wilson and Jessica Cline! Additional presentations included completed green infrastructure projects from the City of Titusville, City of Palm Bay, and Volusia County.  Stay tuned for more information about next year’s conference in the coming months.

Thanks to the Visionary and Champion sponsors who helped make the LID Conference possible!

Bird Island restoration in Melbourne is coming soon! See the flyer below for details, and be on the lookout for more information from our science team in the coming months. Have questions? Reach out to Mara Skadden, our Director of Science

      The 2025 Indian River Lagoon Report is an annual health assessment of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and is the evolution of the Marine Resources Council Report Card, first published in 2016. In 2024, MRC scientists reimagined the Report to assess harmful algae, seagrass coverage, sediment health, wastewater spills, and water quality, using data gathered from partner and government organizations. Data and maps were published on our website as a digital dashboard. This year’s Report will follow the 2024 format with the addition of salinity data and what that means for keystone species in the Lagoon. Be on the lookout for the Lagoon Report to hit our website on Monday, November 17, 2025.

In October, Brooke Blosser joined the Marine Resources Council as the Science Communications & Outreach Coordinator. In this role, Brooke will share communications from the Lagoon House, volunteer engagement, and educational outreach. Before joining MRC, Brooke lived in Charleston, South Carolina, for seven years! You’ll have plenty of time to get to know Brooke at our upcoming events and volunteer opportunities listed below. Click the links below to register for any of our upcoming events.

With cooler weather on the way, fall is a great time to get back into the garden! See below for some Lagoon-friendly gardening tips.

• Fall is the perfect time to begin planting wildflower seeds for spring. Visit the Florida Native Plant Society to learn more about what wildflowers might be good for your yard.
• As you trim any dying stems and leaves, consider leaving them where they fall. Bees, butterflies, and moths use hollow stems and decaying material as overwintering habitat. 

WHERE IN THE LAGOON IS MRC?

EVENTS

November 4 - Lagoon at Noon with Don Deis

November 8 - Thousand Islands Fest

November 21 - Annual Membership Meeting

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

November 7 - First Friday Litter Sweep

November 8 - Thousand Islands Fest

November 14 - Mangrove Workshop - Palm Bay

November 22 - Mangrove Workshop - Sebastian

LAGOON HOUSE CLOSED

November 11 - Veterans Day

November 27 - 29 - Thanksgiving Holiday

MRC Merch Store

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, you might consider some MRC merch as a gift for your loved ones. In addition to our timeless Love Our Lagoon tee-shirts, you can find stickers, hats, and our newest item: reusable water bottles! Visit our merchandise store online to browse the collection and pick out your favorites for shipment before the holidays. 

3275 Dixie Hwy NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905, USA