National Estuaries Day Celebration 2019
National Estuaries Day is a nationwide celebration of our bays and estuaries and the many benefits they provide to local communities.
Each year, the Marine Resources Council creates and promotes estuary awareness through this educational and social event. This year we are pleased to partner with the IRL National Estuaries Program, The Nature Conservancy Florida Chapter, Act 2 Technologies, and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program in celebration of our coastal community and waterways.
Read about the 2019 event in this Florida Today article.
When:
Saturday, September 14, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (EDT)
Location:
MRC’s Ted Moorhead Lagoon House
3275 Dixie Hwy NE
Palm Bay, Florida, 32905
Event Schedule:
10:00 am: Rain Barrel Workshop. Free to attend. There is a $55 fee if you would like to construct your very own 55-gallon water saving rain barrel at the event to take home. (*The City of Melbourne is offering a $50 rain barrel rebate for its residents at https://www.melbourneflorida.org/departments/public-works-utilities/environmental-community-outreach/rain-barrel-rebate.)
11:00 am: Luncheon Meet & Greet Social Hour: Food service is available until 1 p.m. featuring good old-fashioned burgers, sausage, hot dogs, veggie burgers, & chefs choice of healthy side. (Food and beverage service is available a la carte and is not included in registration.)
Speakers
12:15 pm: Dr. Duane E. DeFreese, Ph.D., Executive Director of the IRL Council & IRL National Estuary Program
12:40 pm: Anne Birch, Marine Conservation Manager, The Nature Conservancy Florida Chapter
1:05 pm: Craig Tafoya, Act 2 Technologies: Cleaning Surface Water to Replenish State Aquifers
1:30 pm: Ed Sherwood, Executive Director Tampa Bay Estuary Program: Tampa Bay’s Success and Lessons Learned
1:55 pm: Speakers Panel Open Forum: Focusing on audience participation, facilitating questions and concerns, as well as the opportunity to present ideas of potential problems and solutions for our coastal waterways
Auction
Artisan Rain Barrel Silent Auction Concludes After Panel Discussion (To contribute to the auction please email Steve at SharkeyMRC@gmail.com)
Demonstration
Demonstration of Act 2 Technologies Mobile Water Treatment Facilities (TBD)
More Information
Marine Resources Council is pleased to present an esteemed panel of experts to speak about research, technology, restoration, policy, and the importance of estuaries and coastal protection. The National Estuaries Day presentations will conclude with an open forum panel focusing on audience participation, facilitating questions and concerns, as well as the opportunity to present ideas of potential problems and solutions for our coastal waterways. We hope you will join us to celebrate and learn about the importance of our estuaries and how they benefit our daily lives.
The Goals of National Estuaries Day Include:
- To create broad public awareness and support for our nation’s estuaries and coasts
- To encourage active engagement and participation with local estuaries through volunteer and educational events
- To communicate the value and importance of our estuaries and coasts to key decision makers at the local and federal levels
We Heart Rain Barrels!
One rain barrel used properly can reduce over 50,000 gallons of polluted storm water from entering our lagoon! Do your part, help save our estuary of national significance by installing a rain barrel at your house or business! Sign up today! (*The City of Melbourne is offering a $50 rain barrel rebate for its residents at https://www.melbourneflorida.org/departments/public-works-utilities/environmental-community-outreach/rain-barrel-rebate.)
Mangroves Matter!
Show your support on National Estuaries Day with this limited edition MRC Mangroves Matter silver color, Dri-FIT, high-performance, polyester, moisture wicking, lightweight, and comfortable shirt. Proceeds support MRC’s efforts to protect and improve the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon.
Please join our Facebook event page to stay current on event updates and highlights: https://www.facebook.com/events/2403645583051340.
Special Thanks
Clark Giangarra, Indian River Lagoon Wildlife Tours, presenting partners, volunteers, board, staff, attendees, and all participants involved in making this event another win for our coastal community.
For more information on National Estuaries Day call 321-725-7775. For vending booth space, sponsorship, silent auction and raffle submissions, or musician submissions please contact Steve at SharkeyMRC@gmail.com.
*Event details are subject to change without notice.
Register Now