Five years ago Martin County on Indian River Lagoon passed a responsible lawn care ordinance at the request of the Ocean River Institute. Since then, as the result of herculean efforts by many organizations and thousands of outspoken individuals, all the counties of Indian River Lagoon (Volusia, Brevard, Indian River and St. Lucie County) have passed identical lawn care ordinances.
The Town of Jupiter Island in Martin County and Palm Beach County chose not to amend their lawn care ways for fear of harming their lawns. Today the lawns neighboring Jupiter Island are just as green as the lawns in Jupiter Island. Lawns of Martin County are no less green than are the adjacent lawns in Palm Beach County.
For the same high quality lawn, homeowners of Palm Beach County and the Town of Jupiter Island are spending much more money on lawn care than are their neighbors. The worst algal blooms are during the summer months fed by nitrogen from off the land. Well-intentioned individuals are indirectly contributing to more algal slime on their beaches and more harmful algal blooms in their waterways.
Ocean River Institute tables at the Port Salerno Seafood Festival
On Saturday, January 30, we'll be back in Stuart Florida for the Port Salerno Seafood Festival supporting Capt Nan Beaver's Sunshine Wildlife boat operations, Indian River Keeper Marty Baum, and local fishermen.
Please stop by to learn about our current campaign for the Town of Jupiter Island and Palm Beach County to enact responsible stewardship lawn care ordinances that maintain green lawns and reduce nitrogen pollution during the summer months when harmful algal blooms and beach fouling are the greatest.
Enjoy the best seafood the Treasure Coast has to offer and support the local economy. For more information and to enjoy the music visit portsalernoseafoodfestival.org.
Mark your calendars - On Friday April 26, 2016 The Second Youth Driven Cinema Film Festival will be held at the Lyric Theater, Stuart Florida. Crystal Lucas, former teacher, will once again MC the Awards Ceremony. Elementary, Middle, and High School students are welcomed to submit up to 3-minute videos on saving coastal waters and local ocean life in Indian River Lagoon.
The Henry Foundation, with family members living in Jupiter Island, has generously offered us a grant to enact responsible lawn care practices in the Town of Jupiter Island and Palm Beach County. Theirs is a matching grant where they will match your gift dollar for dollar.
Kyle Robinson has designed a new eco-friendly shirt for us. All donors who give $50 or more will receive a Environmental Stewardship shirt. People who become new monthly sustainers will also receive this limited edition shirt.
P.S. When donating, if you want a shirt, please indicate the size in the comment box below your giving information.
Cleaning the Waters of Indian River Lagoon
Rob Moir talks about dolphins suffering from harmful algal blooms and how bad conditions are worsened by nitrogen pollution coming off the land from lawns.
Now you can give right on Facebook. ORI has partnered with GoodWorld.me, which allows you to make a donation to your cause anytime we make a post asking for people to #donate. You just comment #donate and the dollar amount. We'll respond with a quick one-time form to confirm your donation.
