Army Corps releases latest Lake O management plan's predicted effect on St. Lucie River

The Army Corps last week released an Environmental Impact Statement that details the potential consequences of how the agency plans to manage lake levels for the next decade. A final draft of the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) is expected to be adopted in 2023.

August 2022 eNewsletter

Celebrate Mangroves Month with Florida Oceanographic

MRC - Building Oyster Reefs in the Indian River Lagoon Saturday

A platoon of up to 50 Marine Resources Council (MRC) and 'IDEAS For Us' staff and volunteers will be gathering tomorrow, Saturday July 2, to place 60 Concrete Creations along the shore of the Indian River Lagoon.

July 2022 eNewsletter

Celebrate Sharks and Rays Month with Florida Oceanographic

6 Fantastic Things To Do On Hutchinson Island, Florida

Hutchinson Island is a 23-mile-long barrier island on Florida’s Treasure Coast. Divided into South and North Hutchinson Islands, spanning Martin and St. Lucie counties along the Atlantic Ocean, this quiet and laidback part of the Florida coast is a painless 2-hour drive from the bright lights of Miami — and a little bit farther from the tourist mecca of Orlando.

Changing Seas

We were honored to take part in the South Florida PBS series Changing Seas to help shine a light on the plight of our manatees and the seagrass beds they, and other marine species, rely on for food and habitat. 

Florida cutting red tape to expedite seagrass planting for starving manatees

As manatees die in record numbers, seagrass planters feel an urgency to restore the Indian River Lagoon.

What is a Mangrove/Can Mangroves Save the World?

Dr. Lorae Simpson sat down with Nicholas D’Alessandro, host of the Wait Five Minutes podcast to talk all about mangroves, the different types that can be found in our subtropical ecosystem and the interesting role they play in our environment.

DeSantis vetoes Lake O water supply bill after environmentalist outcry. 'We are watching.'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday he vetoed an environment bill that critics claimed would have prioritized Big Sugar getting the irrigation water it wants to siphon off Lake Okeechobee over the Everglades ecosystems' health.

Scientists monitor St. Lucie Estuary water quality ahead of tropical system

Water releases from Lake Okeechobee not imminent

Close encounter between gator, bull shark in St. Lucie River

Fisherman captures unusual interaction

June 2022 eNewsletter

Celebrate Oceans Month with Florida Oceanographic Society!

Day trip to Hutchinson Island

Martin County is like a fun-sized candy bar – not nearly as huge as its southern neighbor Palm Beach County, yet chock-full of good stuff in an easy-to-consume package. 

May 2022 eNewsletter

Celebrate Sea Turtle Month with Florida Oceanographic Society!

Deputies, environmentalists worry bonfires on Martin County beaches leave debris, nails, harm sea turtle nests

The Martin County Sheriff's Office is asking beachgoers to stop making bonfires. The sheriff's office said more people are making fires, breaking local rules and also potentially harming sea turtle nesting.

Mast’s bill takes aim at Lake O discharges

The Treasure Coast’s congressman introduced a bill Wednesday requiring a multiyear roadmap to end Lake Okeechobee discharges to coastal estuaries, which are often a vehicle for toxic algae and ecological destruction.

April 2022 Newsletter

Celebrate Earth Month!

‘Living docks’ to aid waterways

Volunteers sought for oyster restoration project for lagoon, river.

Starving manatees will face another rough winter next season

When manatees on Florida's east coast gather next winter, they're likely to face another season of starvation.

Revised SB 2508’s impact on river, lagoon weighed

The most contentious environment bill of this year’s legislative session is heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. 

DEP will expedite seagrass-planting permits to help manatees

Florida will make it easier and faster to plant seagrasses, the main food source for manatees that are dying in record numbers, according to a Treasure Coast lawmaker.

Mark Perry receives 2022 Conservationist Award

Mark Perry, executive director of the Florida Oceanographic Society, recently was awarded the 2022 Conservationist Award by the Everglades Coalition in honor of his 40-plus years protecting and restoring the greater everglades ecosystem.

March 2022 Newsletter

Celebrate Seagrass Month!

South Florida environmentalists react to SB 2508

Lawmakers amended a controversial water bill this week after several people, including Governor Ron DeSantis, voiced opposition.

House-wrecked: North Carolina Home Collapses Into Atlantic Ocean As Rising Sea Levels Eat Away Coast

A home in North Carolina has collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean due to rising sea levels eroding the coastline, leaving piles of debris in its wake.

Florida’s Treasure Coast serves up gold

If you drive North from Miami on I-95 for just two hours and then take a small turn right you will come to the area known as Florida’s Treasure Coast...

SFWMD wants more say when Lake Okeechobee level drops, but environmentalists are worried

Clean-water advocates lost the war for zero discharges to the St. Lucie River in the new plan being written to manage Lake Okeechobee’s water level for the next decade. Now they fear a new state proposal threatens the battle they did win: a nearly 40% reduction in Lake O discharges.

February 2022 Newsletter

Celebrate Gamefish Month!

2021 was a record year for Florida manatee deaths. Here are 5 ways you can help sea cows

More Florida manatees died in 2021 than any other year, most of them from starving, and many readers have asked TCPalm: How can I help? 

January 2022 Newsletter

Celebrate Shorebirds Month!