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 2023 symposium was IRL Seagrass. Seagrasses are a critical component of the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem, playing important roles in biological productivity and species diversity. In the last decade, there has been a catastrophic loss of seagrass, which is affecting the entire IRL system. This loss has triggered an interest in seagrass restoration, including the development of IRL seagrass nurseries



Program Schedule: 

Thursday, February 23: Technical sessions consisting of oral and poster presentations will be held all day. 

Friday, February 24: (Indian River Lagoon 2023 Update: Seagrass Seagrasses are a critical component of the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem, playing important roles in biological productivity and species diversity. In the last decade, there has been a catastrophic loss of seagrass, which is affecting the entire IRL system. This loss has triggered an interest in seagrass restoration, including the development of IRL seagrass nurseries. Join us for presentations that provide an overview of seagrasses in the lagoon, their threats, status, and plans to restore them. Our panelists are leaders in IRL seagrass research and management efforts. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters during the panel discussion and engage in demonstrations before and after the session.

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 includes access to all sessions on both days and is required for all participants. To make sure all presenters can register before regular participants, please register by Friday, January 13. Registration includes access to all sessions both days, coffee breaks, lunch, and end-of-the-day reception on February 23. Early registration fees are $30 (regular) and $20 (students) and are due by January 27, 2023. After that date, late registration fees are $35 ($25 for students). Late registration closes February 15, 2023 at 5 p.m., unless availability ends sooner, which is quite likely based on previous years. Students: Note that when you first connect to the site, the default registration is the full participant amount but once you designate yourself as a student, you will the see the lower rate.​

Live Steaming & Recording Availability: Registration is closed. Registering onsite is not an option. Livestreaming of all oral sessions can be accessed at no charge. The link is: https://fau.mediasite.com/mediasite/channel/2023-irls. That link can also be used to access recordings of those sessions after their conclusion.


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 2023 Steering Committee members are:

Irene Arpayoglou – FDEP/Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves  
Dennis Hanisak – Florida Atlantic University
Kelli Hunsucker – Florida Institute of Technology
Chuck Jacoby – St. Johns River Water Management District
•       Loraé Simpson – Florida Oceanographic Society 
Holly Sweat – Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
Linda Walters – University of Central Florida
•       Jessy Wayles – Indian River Lagoon National Estuarine Program


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 2023 IRL Seagrass 
The program is available here. 
The Abstracts of presentations are available here.
The forum program for Indian River Lagoon 2023 Update is available here.

IRLS 2022 IRL Connectivity Materials 
The program is available here.
The Abstracts of Presentations are available here.
The forum program for Indian River Lagoon 2022 Update is available here.

IRLS 2021 IRL Research during the Pandemic Materials
The final program is available here.
The Abstracts of Presentations are available here.
Indian River Lagoon Symposium 2021 Posters can be viewed here.

IRLS 2020 Reassessing IRL Biodiversity Materials
The program is available here.
The Abstracts of Presentations are available here.
Information on programming for the public is available here.

IRLS 2019 Indian River Lagoon: Quo Vadis? Materials
The program is available here.  
The Abstracts of Presentations are available here.
The program for this year's public outreach is available here.

IRLS 2018 Restoration of the Indian River Lagoon Materials
The program is available here
The Abstracts of Presentations are available here
The program for this year's public outreach is available here

IRLS 2017 An Estuary in Peril Materials
The program is available here
The Abstracts of Presentations are available here
The program for this year's public outreach is available here

​IRLS 2016 Linking Research with Management Materials
The program is available here.
The Abstracts of Presentations are available here
The program for this year's public outreach is available here.

IRLS 2015 Lessons, Challenges, and Opportunities Materials 
A program is available here
The Abstracts of Presentations are available here
The program for the public forum Engaging the Public: Citizen Science is available here

IRLS 2014 Lagoon Biodiversity Materials
A program is available here.
Abstracts of Presentations are available here.
The program for the public forum A Forum with the Indian River Lagoon Counties Collaborative is available here

IRLS 2013 Health of the Lagoon Materials 
A program is available here.
Abstracts of Presentations are available here.
The program for the public forum A Forum on Lagoon Health is available here

IRLS 2012 Looking Forward Materials
A program is available here.
Abstracts of Presentations are available here.


For more information please contact Dr. Dennis Hanisak



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IRL Seagrass

 Indian River Lagoon Symposium 2023
February 23-24

​"IRL Seagrass"
• Provide a forum to disseminate current knowledge of the IRL and its management 
• Foster collaborations and discussions among scientists, students, education and outreach professionals, and    decision makers
• Promote participation of university students and new scientists 
• Provide results and discussions that can be used to inform policy related to management of the IRL 
• Increase public awareness of the IRL and its ecological and economic importance