Symposium

Indian River Lagoon Symposium

Overview

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:

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

The theme for the 2020 symposium was Reassessing IRL Biodiversity. In 1994, an Ad Hoc Committee established by the Indian River Lagoon National Estuarine Program (IRLNEP) convened a conference on Biodiversity of the Indian River Lagoon in response to the lack of management planning on this topic. The goal of that two-day conference was to assemble and synthesize information on the current status of biodiversity in the Lagoon. That synthesis contributed to management recommendations for inclusion in IRLNEP’s initial Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan. Proceedings (papers based on the oral presentations, or abstracts) of that conference were published as a dedicated issue of the Bulletin of Marine Science in 1995 that has served as an important reference for 25 years. The focus of IRLS 2020, Reassessing IRL Biodiversity, addressed changes in the IRL’s biodiversity since the 1994 conference and gaps in our knowledge of the biota that were not considered at that time.

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

Program Schedule: The program included oral presentations and posters on current scientific research on the Indian River Lagoon and its management. Technical sessions consisted of oral presentations was held on February 13 and 14, with the poster session on February 13 (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.). Note that this was a departure from previous years when all technical sessions were held on one day. To encourage as much participation as possible in the oral sessions, short presentations (“3 Minutes – 3 Slides”) was scheduled as well as the more traditional 15-minute time slots. Preference for the 15-minute sessions was given to those speakers who address this year's theme of Reassessing IRL Biodiversity and to speakers who are university students and earlier-career professionals. The posters was scheduled as a dedicated session near the end of the first day, in combination with a social reception. The technical sessions on February 14 ended no later than 3 p.m. The program schedule and other details was posted by January 10, 2020.

Abstract Submission: Oral presentations and posters on all aspects of science relating to the IRL was encouraged. Abstracts of oral presentations (both standard 15-minute slots and abbreviated presentations,“3 Minutes – 3 Slides”) and posters were solicited. Information on registration and abstract submittal is available here. Abstract and registration deadlines for presenters - October 31, 2019.

IRLS 2020 Proceedings: The Steering Committee contacted the Florida Academy of Science regarding a dedicated issue based on presentations at IRLS 2020 and the Editor is receptive. All presenters (any oral format, posters) addressing the biodiversity theme was invited to contribute to the proceedings, either with a regular paper or abstract. Manuscripts were due March 31, 2020.

Registration: Registration to attend the technical session was required; to register, go to: https://fauf.fau.edu/irls2020. Due to the generosity of sponsors, registration fees are minimal. Early registration fees for access to all technical sessions are $30 ($20 for students) and are due by October 31, 2019, for anyone submitting an abstract. For those not presenting, registration is due by January 19, 2020. After that date, late registration fees are $35 ($25 for students). Late registration closes February 7, 2020 at 5 p.m., unless availability ends sooner, which is quite likely based on previous years. Registration includes access to all technical sessions, coffee breaks, lunch, and end-of-the-day reception on February 13.

Public Participation: The poster session on February 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm was open to the public at no cost, as was the last technical session on February 14 (details will be posted at http://indianriverlagoon.org/symposium.html).

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 2020 Steering Committee members are: