Symposium

Indian River Lagoon Symposium

The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Symposium is the result of a multi-institutional, multi-agency effort to provide a forum for discussing Indian River Lagoon science and its application to management of the lagoon. The symposium is open to scientists, decision makers, students, education and outreach professionals, and the interested public. The intent is to facilitate better communication among these groups so that the gaps between research and its application can be narrowed.

The goals of the symposium are to:

The theme for the 2022 symposium is IRL Connectivity. The concept of connectivity can refer to many aspects of the lagoon. Examples include: interactions of the IRL with its watershed or with other nearby coastal waters, the dependence of fish production and population dynamics on dispersal and migration among multiple habitats, and much more.

COVID Status: We expect a significant decline in the currently high COVID numbers by April 2022. We will follow all FAU COVID guidelines; most importantly, note that masking is expected by all attendees. We will have sanitizers and extra masks readily available. Please also note that we will be live streaming all sessions for those who wish to watch the presentations virtually.

Program Schedule:

Thursday, April 21: Technical sessions consisting of oral and poster presentations will be held all day.

Friday, April 22 (Indian River Lagoon 2022 Update): The Indian River Lagoon has had a rough decade that included intense and widespread algal blooms, loss of seagrass, and manatee mortalities. Join us for presentations that examine the state of the lagoon and how it got there, what is being done to restore the health of the system, and options for augmenting those efforts. Our speakers (Chuck Jacoby, St. Johns River Water Management District; Virginia Barker (or designee), Brevard County Natural Resources Management Department; Duane De Freese, Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program) are leaders in IRL management efforts. After the presentations, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters.

Registration Information: The link to register for in-person or virtual participation is: https://epay.fau.edu/C20081_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=89. Registration is required for all participants.

In-person participation: Registration includes access to all sessions on both days, coffee breaks, lunch, and end-of-the-day reception on April 21.

Virtual participation: Registration includes access to the livestreaming. There is no charge, registration is required to get the links for livestreaming and all meeting updates.

Steering Committee: A Steering Committee with representatives from academic, governmental, and non-profit organizations defines the goals, basic outline, and structure for the symposium; identifies potential participants; and provides guidance, logistical support, and planning for the symposium. The Steering Committee is instrumental in making the symposium a truly collaborative effort within the diverse IRL research community. The 2022 Steering Committee members are:

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Irene Arpayoglou – FDEP/Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves

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Vincent Encomio – Florida Sea Grant & UF/IFAS Extension

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Dennis Hanisak – Florida Atlantic University

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Kelli Hunsucker – Florida Institute of Technology

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Chuck Jacoby – St. Johns River Water Management District

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Holly Sweat – Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce

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Linda Walters – University of Central Florida

Venue: Harbor Branch (for directions, see https://www.fau.edu/hboi/about/location-maps/) is located along the Indian River Lagoon in Fort Pierce, Florida, centrally located between the cities of Fort Pierce and Vero Beach.

IRLS 2022 IRL Connectivity Materials

The draft program is available here.

The draft Abstracts of Presentations are available here.

IRLS 2021 IRL Research during the Pandemic Materials

The final program is available here.