Ocean Research & Conservation Association

09/04/2026

The Lines in the Lagoon Junior Fishing Tournament returns September 12 for another great day on the water!

What began 13 years ago with a group of local teens passionate about making a difference for the Indian River Lagoon has grown into an annual event supporting local conservation efforts. Proceeds benefit ORCA’s fish monitoring and pollution mapping work, as well as the local chapter of Coastal Conservation Association Florida.

Register today, get out on the water, and be part of a great event supporting our Lagoon! And be sure to stop by and say hello to the ORCA team at the awards celebration following the tournament.

🌊🐟 Learn more and register at

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09/02/2026

Long-term monitoring at our living shoreline at Riverside Park in Vero Beach provides evidence of how nature-based solutions work. Established in April 2024 with the help of more than 75 community volunteers, the project included the installation of 400 oyster reef balls. These breakwaters help reduce erosion, build coastal resilience, and promote shoreline accretion.

Since installation, ORCA staff and trained citizen scientists have conducted quarterly monitoring. One exciting finding is the continued growth of oysters on the reef balls. Oyster growth has steadily and significantly increased every three months since installation (p < 0.05, Welch’s Analysis of Variance).

This project was made possible with support from 11th Hour Racing’s grant program and in partnership with the City of Vero Beach.

08/31/2026

We recently welcomed our longtime collaborator from Clemson University, Dr. Christopher Chouinard and students from his analytical chemistry laboratory to ORCA.

The group had the opportunity to get out in the field with our team and experience firsthand some of the environmental research taking place throughout the Indian River Lagoon.

Our collaboration with Dr. Chouinard and Clemson has expanded ORCA’s analytical capabilities, with his laboratory analyzing pharmaceuticals and other contaminants of emerging concern across several of our research projects. Their work supports our ecotoxicity project through their analysis of fish tissue, water column, and sediment samples. We’re grateful for collaborations like this that allow us to add depth to our work to track pollution in the Indian River Lagoon to its source.

08/29/2026

☀️ Join Us for September’s Business at Breakfast!

Join us for our next Business at Breakfast and start your morning with great conversation, new connections, and a delicious breakfast at The Twisted Lime Restaurant & Bar!

We’ll hear from our event sponsor, Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), as they discuss the important work they’re doing to support healthy oceans and marine ecosystems. We’ll also hear from The Roof Authority, Inc. during this month’s Minute at the Mic.

📅 Wednesday, September 16
⏰ 7:45–9:00 AM
📍 Twisted Lime Restaurant & Bar | 710 S. U.S. 1, Vero Beach, FL 32962

Registration is REQUIRED! https://business.indianriverchamber.com/events/details/business-at-breakfast-sponsored-by-orca-at-twisted-lime-11469?calendarMonth=2026-09-01

08/21/2026

https://www.linesinthelagoon.com/

08/20/2026

At ORCA, our volunteers play an essential role in advancing our mission. From collecting samples in the field and assisting with laboratory efforts to supporting restoration projects and community outreach, their time, dedication, and passion help strengthen our research and expand our impact throughout the Indian River Lagoon.

Our citizen scientists are an important part of the research team, and we make it a priority to involve them throughout each project, not only in fieldwork, but also in understanding the science, reviewing findings, discussing upcoming sampling efforts, and helping shape the direction of our work.

If you want to learn more about becoming a trained citizen scientist with Team ORCA, visit www.TeamORCA.org.

08/17/2026

We’re honored to be participating in STEWARDS, a new multimedia exhibition at Raw Space in Vero Beach celebrating the people, places, and organizations working to protect the natural beauty of Indian River County through art, storytelling, and community engagement. The exhibit is open through October 3, and we encourage you to experience it for yourself. Learn more at https://stewards-irc.org/.

As part of the exhibition, a short film features several of ORCA’s dedicated volunteers and highlights their commitment to protecting our local environment. In addition, on Thursday, August 20, at 6:00 PM, Courtney Brooks, ORCA Research Assistant, will present Science, Stewardship & Community Action with Team ORCA.

https://www.verominute.com/post/raw-space-s-season-of-stewards

Raw Space’s STEWARDS series continues Thursday with Team ORCA Research Assistant Courtney Brooks, who works at the intersection of field science and public participation. Her work invites residents to help monitor the Indian River Lagoon, spot changes in its habitats, and take part in restoring th...

08/03/2026

We’re honored to be participating in STEWARDS, a new multimedia exhibition at Raw Space in Vero Beach celebrating the people, places, and organizations working to protect the natural beauty of Indian River County through art, storytelling, and community engagement. The exhibit is open through October 3, and we encourage you to experience it for yourself. Learn more at https://stewards-irc.org/.

As part of the exhibition, a short film features several of ORCA’s dedicated volunteers and highlights their commitment to protecting our local environment. In addition, on Thursday, August 20, at 6:00 PM, Courtney Brooks, ORCA Research Assistant, will present Science, Stewardship & Community Action with Team ORCA.

During this presentation, Courtney will explore what it means to be a steward of the Indian River Lagoon and how individuals can make a meaningful difference in protecting and restoring this remarkable ecosystem. Attendees will learn how ORCA’s research, citizen science, and habitat restoration initiatives empower community members to become part of the solution while advancing science and conservation. The presentation will also highlight the powerful relationship between art and science, demonstrating how creativity and storytelling can deepen our connection to the natural world, inspire environmental stewardship, and motivate collective action through initiatives such as ORCA’s Art of Discovery exhibition and annual Data Jam.

Join us on August 20 at 6PM at Raw Space in Vero Beach. No registration is required.

07/31/2026

Dr. Lauren Kleiman, Research Associate at ORCA, will join a panel discussion on PFAS in Florida waters with Dr. Abbey Tyrna of Suncoast Waterkeeper and Dr. John Bowden of the University of Florida. Together, they will discuss the latest research on PFAS in the Indian River Lagoon and other Florida waterways. This is part of the St. Johns Riverkeeper’s Keeping Current Lunch & Learn series. Join us on August 4 at noon.

Registration is required. https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/sXHG9PDJSWayBjFrl9WpdA #/registration

07/23/2026

🌊Ready to be inspired by life beneath the waves?

Join us on Saturday, July 25 for the Woods Hole Film Festival documentary “A Life Illuminated,” featuring Ocean Research & Conservation Association founder (and WHOI Centennial Medal recipient) Edie Widder.

As part of the WHOI Ocean & Climate Outreach Series, the film dives into Widder’s quest to uncover a mysterious bioluminescent phenomenon and illuminate the hidden wonders of the deep sea.

🎟️ The Yawkey Foundation ’s complimentary tickets went fast, but you can still purchase tickets through the film festival's online ticket office: woodshole.elevent.io/events/ALifeIlluminated