IRL Clam Restoration Project

05/18/2026

Join Us May 19th for the Commission Vote on the SOIRL Referendum

Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19th, the Brevard County Commissioners will vote on placing the SOIRL Renewal ½-cent sales tax voter referendum on the November ballot.

The meeting begins at 9:00 a.m.

County Commission Chambers
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, FL
1st Floor, Building C

Please join us! You may register to speak or simply show your support by wearing a Lagoon or blue shirt.

This sales tax is the primary source of funding for the county’s Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program and is projected to provide more than $600 million over the next 10 years, while also attracting matching state and federal grant dollars.

The program has made tremendous progress over the past decade in improving water quality and reducing pollution, but there is still much work to be done.

05/12/2026

This is the kind of news that gives us all hope for the future. Thank you to everyone doing the hard work to save our river.

Coastal Conservation Association Florida MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife St. Johns River Water Management District Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida Blair Wiggins Outdoors Star brite Solutions Petrucci Insurance Agency Catch A Memory Outdoors radio show

Great news for the Indian River Lagoon 🌱💧

Updated data from the St. Johns River Water Management District (https://www.sjrwmd.com/2026/05/district-releases-updated-seagrass-data-showing-continued-expansion/) shows continued seagrass expansion, a powerful sign that restoration efforts are making a real difference for our waterways, wildlife, and communities. Seagrasses are essential to lagoon health, helping improve water quality while providing essential estuarine habitat.

This progress reflects years of collaboration, science-based restoration, and community commitment across the Indian River Lagoon region. Every acre restored helps strengthen one of Florida’s most important ecosystems for future generations.

Thank you to all the scientists, conservation partners, local governments, nonprofits, educators, volunteers, residents and businesses helping turn the tide for the lagoon.


Photo credit: L. Simpson

05/01/2026

An update from last weekend at Project SeaSafe's clean water collective, put on by Star brite Solutions.

100 MILLION CLAMS!
We hit a big milestone this last weekend and wanted to share it with you and thank those who came out to support and help us achieve this major milestone.

04/16/2026

Planted 6 1/2 million clams in the Indian river Lagoon today!

02/23/2026

1¢ Infrastructure Tax Could Doom IRL ½¢ IRL Sales Tax Renewal

Calling on all Lagoon supporters!

At the County Commission Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb 24th at 9AM, our Commissioners will discuss how the ½¢ IRL sales tax voter referendum will be presented to the voters in November.
There is a request to increase the tax to 1% and include non-Lagoon infrastructure projects.
Any significant change to the SOIRL referendum would require restarting a lengthy review process with local municipalities and state agencies — potentially causing us to miss the August deadline to place it on the ballot.
The current program is working. The IRL Clam Restoration Project is proud to be a SOIRL grant recipient, and we’ve seen firsthand how these funds are improving our Lagoon. We simply need time to finish the job.
Please join us to make sure the Commissioners know the referendum renewal should remain focused on Lagoon restoration.

Brevard County Board of County Commissioners
Commission Chambers, Bldg. C
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Fl 32940

https://www.brevardclerk.us/meeting-agendas?ID=AD62AA1A-6089-4664-9F1C-F79FFB962319

02/09/2026

Grateful to Florida Sport Fishing Magazine and Tom Rowland Podcast for helping tell the story of why clams matter to the Indian River Lagoon- and how they're part of the solution.

Read the article here:

THE TOM ROWLAND PODCAST has become a gathering place for anglers, outdoorsmen, and conservationists nationwide. Hosted by Capt. Tom Rowland—a fishing guide turned television producer and entrepreneur—the show dives into the stories and experiences that shape the fishing community.

02/05/2026

We are always so proud of our Dr.Todd Osborne !!

Yesterday Whitney Laboratory Professor of Biogeochemistry Dr. Todd Osborne was a panelist at the Environmental Town Hall - The Impact We Make On Our World. Dr. Osborne joined Surfrider Foundation's Katie Bauman, meteorologist Tim Deegan, and Matanzas Riverkeeper Jen Lomberk for this event held at the Flagler College Lewis Auditorium.

Watch - https://www.youtube.com/live/RvNaVLZJAbU?si=zzSFHbQAJBBQrqHe

02/05/2026

Important Notice: The FDEP will cease accepting comments on the Blue Origin Permit Renewal tomorrow, 2/6/26; please submit yours today. Email address ⬇️

01/29/2026

🚨 Public Meeting: Blue Origin & Indian River Lagoon 🚨

The Florida DEP is holding a public meeting THIS FRIDAY on Blue Origin’s industrial wastewater permit renewal — and public input matters.

🗓 Friday, Jan 30
🕓 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa

What’s happening:
DEP is reviewing Blue Origin’s permit for its Merritt Island facility. The permit allows up to 490,000 gallons per day (maximum allowable, not typical use). The wastewater is treated on-site and may, under certain conditions, flow into a drainage system that ultimately connects to the Indian River Lagoon.

This meeting is your chance to:
✔️ Ask questions
✔️ Get facts
✔️ Share public comment on the record

🗓 Public comment period is open through Feb. 6, 2026.

🔗 Official DEP notice:
https://floridadep.gov/central/cd-topics-interest/content/44733-blue-origin-permit-renewal-public-meeting

If you care about the Lagoon, show up informed and make your voice heard. 🌊

01/12/2026

Meeting tonight!

Attend the Brevard County Commission Public Workshop for the SOIRL Project Plan renewal on Monday, January 12th, 5pm at the Palm Bay City Hall.

Speak up to protect and restore the Indian River Lagoon.