Indian River Land Trust

06/02/2026

Mark your calendars! Our Annual Benefit is returning to Rock City Gardens on Thursday, November 12th at 6:00 PM!

This year's event promises to be a captivating evening dedicated to celebrating our recent conservation victories in the preservation of waterways, wildlife, and green places in Indian River County.

Join us for an unforgettable night filled with:
• Updates on current projects from Executive Director, Ken Grudens
• Delicious food and drinks provided by Elizabeth Kennedy Catering
• Connect with fellow conservation champions in Indian River County
• Live music and more!

Tickets are $500 per person and will go on sale in September.

Sponsorship opportunities are available now! Visit www.irlt.org to learn more!

06/01/2026

A Trail with a Story: Honoring Toni Robinson

In honor of National Trails Day on June 1, we are sharing the story behind the name of one of Indian River County’s hidden gems - the Land Trust’s Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail.

The 50-acre Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail features majestic oak trees, scrub forest, mangrove swamps, and beautiful views of the Indian River Lagoon. The initial 1.6-acre trailhead parcel was purchased by the Land Trust in 2009, and following two additional acquisitions, the trail officially opened in 2013.

The preserve was named in honor of Toni Robinson, affectionately known as the “Mother of the Land Trust.” A founding member of the organization, Toni is a pioneer in protecting green spaces in our county. Her passion, vision, and determination to preserve natural lands for future generations helped shape the foundation of the Land Trust and inspired conservation efforts across the community.

To recognize her extraordinary legacy, the Land Trust named this special place in her honor - a lasting tribute to her vision and dedication to conservation. As Toni often says, “Once these lands are gone, they’re gone forever.”

Today, the Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail is a favorite destination for nature lovers, walkers, birdwatchers, and families alike. Visitors can enjoy an easy walk through open-canopy scrub habitat and shaded oak hammock, a boardwalk through the mangroves, dozens of interpretive signs, and a dock with a covered bench overlooking the lagoon for quiet moments of reflection. Bicycles and leashed dogs are welcome, making it a wonderful outdoor experience for everyone.

This National Trails Day, we invite you to visit the Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail and celebrate our beautiful natural landscapes and the inspiring community leaders who help protect them!

Directions: The trail is located south of the Wabasso Causeway on 79th Street off of US Hwy 1. Turn east from US-1 onto 79th Street. The trailhead is on the left.

05/19/2026

The Indian River Land Trust is deeply grateful to Jim and Diana Cronin for their extraordinary long-term commitment to the future of conservation in our community. Jim and Diana have pledged to contribute a minimum of $150,000 annually over the next five years, with grants to be made through the Cronin Nature Fund and the Fry and Cronin Foundation. When combined with contributions made over the past six months, their total support exceeds $1 million.

Jim and Diana Cronin’s generosity and long-term commitment reflect a deep understanding of the importance of land conservation for the future of Indian River County.

The Cronin’s shared, “We greatly admire the Land Trust’s dedication to preserving the character and environmental health of our community. What stands out most is how much is accomplished by such a small and committed team, supported by an extraordinary group of volunteers who care deeply about this mission. Their work will have a lasting impact on future generations, and we are honored to be part of that effort.”

We are incredibly grateful for their partnership in protecting the natural beauty and environmental health of our community for generations to come!

To read the full article,https://www.irlt.org/dfiles/IRLT_Major_Gift_Annoucement_051326.pdf

05/14/2026

⚠Urgent Request - We Need Your Help

Please Contact Our State Legislators Today!

We need your voice, once again, to help secure dedicated state funding to protect the natural lands and wildlife that define Florida’s treasured landscapes. The Florida Legislature is currently in a special session, until May 29, to finalize the state budget, and Florida Forever - Florida’s premier land conservation program - faces major funding cuts.

Please take a moment today to contact our State Legislators, Senator Erin Grall and Representative Robbie Brackett (contact information below), and urge them to fully fund Florida Forever.

In 2014, 75% of Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment to provide at least $500 million a year for 20 years to Florida Forever – a program created for state protection of natural lands, water resources, wildlife habitats, and parks. Yet much of that funding has not been allocated over the past decade, leaving Florida Forever underfunded and unable to operate at its full potential.

Before the special session began on May 12, the House budget included no funding for the program, while the Senate proposal only allocated $50 million exclusively for conservation easements offering no public access. In addition, both the Senate and the House budgets provide no funding for the Florida Communities Trust, a related grants program available for local government and non-profit land conservation efforts. The Land Trust has been advocating $100 million for Florida Forever, $50 million for Florida Communities Trust, and $350 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program designed for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements.

This is a critical moment for conservation in Florida and your voice truly makes a difference. Please call or email today and let our legislators know you support full funding for Florida Forever, Florida Communities Trust and public land conservation.

Thank you for standing with conservation and helping protect Florida’s natural heritage for future generations.

SENATOR ERIN GRALL
Phone: 772-595-1398
Email: [email protected]

REPRESENTATIVE ROBBIE BRACKETT
Phone: 772-365-9230
Email: [email protected]

04/30/2026

This is your last chance to STAY AT HOME and support conservation in Indian River County!

Enjoy a night off from cooking with dinner and dessert for two, including a bottle of pre-selected white or red wine from Ryder's Gourmet Deli!

Certificates are $150
Deadline to purchase is TODAY, April 30th
Valid until June 15th

Purchase your STAY AT HOME certificate online at www.irlt.org or by calling (772)794-0701.

04/29/2026

Our Executive Director, Ken Grudens, chatted with Bob Soos on April 22, 2026 from 97.1 Ocean FM to discuss the Land Trust's role in the recent Pump Out Boat annoucement by the City of Vero Beach and our on-going efforts to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon as well as providing a recap on our Annual Members Event at the Bridgeview property!

Listen Time: 8:37 minutes
Listen to the full interview here:

On the Air with Bob Soos April 22, 2026

04/28/2026

🌿 Last chance to explore nature with us this season!

Our final birding and native plant tours are happening soon and you won’t want to miss them. Spring is the perfect time to spot seasonal species, enjoy the Florida landscape in transition, and soak up the beauty before the heat of summer.

🌷Native Plant Tour at Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail | Tuesday, May 5th at 9:30 AM

🌷Native Plant Tour at Lagoon Greenway | Tuesday, May 12th at 9:30 AM

🐦Birding Tour at Lagoon Greenway | Thursday, May 12th at 7:00 AM

Following the May tours, we’ll be pausing for the season and will return in the fall with more opportunities to get outside and connect with nature.

All Tours are complimentary. Please RSVP at www.irlt.org

Spots are limited, join us while you can!



📸: Willie Ortiz

04/24/2026

Proud to Support This Important Conservation Effort in Indian River County

We’re proud to support this important step in protecting the Indian River Lagoon. Creating access to a mobile pump-out service will help reduce harmful pollution and strengthen the health of our waters for generations to come!

Protecting our land and waterways takes collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to stewardship, and we’re grateful to be part of this partnership. Together, we’re making a lasting difference!

Today, the IRC Board of County Commissioners voted to strengthen water quality efforts in the Indian River Lagoon through a mobile marine pump-out program.

The service is designed to reach vessels that cannot access marina pump-out systems, addressing a known gap across the County. Vessel waste can contain significantly higher nutrient levels, making proper disposal critical to protecting the Lagoon.

The program will operate multiple days each week and will be provided at no cost.

This initiative is made possible through by key community partners, including Ken Grudens, Executive Director of the Indian River Land Trust, and Judy Orcutt of the Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County, Inc.

Together, these organizations are partnering with the County in a cost-sharing effort to support both the purchase and operation of the vessel, with a shared commitment to protecting the Lagoon and advancing future partnerships.

04/23/2026

As the landscapes we protect come alive with the colors of spring, we’re reminded that the heart of the Land Trust is not just the land we protect - it’s the people who care for it.

In celebration of National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we are proud to recognize the extraordinary individuals who give their time, talents, and passion to advance our mission. Whether restoring native habitats, sharing knowledge on guided hikes, supporting special events, or offering guidance on our Board and committees, each act of service by our volunteers creates a meaningful and lasting impact.

With the help of our volunteers, the natural beauty of Indian River County is preserved and protected, and our community has more opportunities to connect with the land we all cherish. Their efforts make our trails more welcoming, our programs more engaging, and our mission stronger than ever.

To each and every volunteer: THANK YOU! Your dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment are truly invaluable, and we are deeply grateful to have you as part of the Land Trust family.

Interested in getting involved as a volunteer? Visit www.irlt.org to learn how you can make a difference!