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 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:

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Irene Arpayoglou – FDEP/Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves

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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

• Loraé Simpson – Florida Oceanographic Society

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Holly Sweat – Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce

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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.