Indian River Land Trust

Indian River Land Trust Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Indian River Land Trust, Nonprofit Organization, 3150 Cardinal Drive, Suite 201, Vero Beach, FL.

The Land Trust promotes the conservation of the Indian River Lagoon for the residents of Indian River County, Florida by preserving habitat, protecting scenic waterfront and providing access for the public.

Land Trust Drone in Action: A New Frontier for Land StewardshipEvery property protected by the Indian River Land Trust r...
08/29/2026

Land Trust Drone in Action: A New Frontier for Land Stewardship

Every property protected by the Indian River Land Trust requires ongoing management, and we have a powerful new tool helping us care for these special places. Our new drone is giving Land Trust staff a bird's-eye view of the conservation lands entrusted to our care. They allow us to monitor properties more efficiently, document habitat restoration projects, and plan future conservation efforts with greater precision.

Equipped with advanced technology, including a nine-mile flight range, extreme accuracy, and the ability to create detailed aerial maps and 3D models, the drone helps us capture the full story of our preserves in ways that simply aren't possible from the ground. It saves valuable time, provides safe access to challenging terrain, and gives us a clearer understanding of how our conservation work is making a difference.

Looking ahead, this technology will enhance our ability to plan new trails and restoration projects, evaluate potential land acquisitions, and monitor conservation easements across large landscapes. By providing accurate real-time images to make informed decisions, the drone helps ensure we can protect our region's natural resources as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Innovation and conservation go hand in hand. Thanks to your support, we're combining cutting-edge technology with boots-on-the-ground stewardship to protect the lands, waterways, and wildlife that make Indian River County a remarkable place to call home.

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾We think most trails are better with a four-legged adventure buddy by your side. Whether they’r...
08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾

We think most trails are better with a four-legged adventure buddy by your side. Whether they’re leading the way, stopping to investigate every smell, or simply enjoying a stroll with their favorite people, dogs have a way of making time outside even better.

Did you know leashed dogs are welcome on our public trails? Well, now you do!

Here’s to more muddy paws, boops, and wagging tails on the trails! 🐶🌿

📸: Land Trust Tour Guides, Jan and Fleetwood Chesnutt, their grandson Billy, and their furry trail buddy, Duncan at Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail

Mark your calendars! Our Annual Benefit is returning to Rock City Gardens on Thursday, November 12th at 6:00 PM!Tickets ...
08/25/2026

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

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

Sponsorship opportunities are available.
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Are you interested in science? Do you love nature? Would you like to make a positive impact on your local environment?Si...
08/22/2026

Are you interested in science? Do you love nature? Would you like to make a positive impact on your local environment?

Since 2013, the Junior Scientist Fellows Program has provided local high school students with the unique opportunity to engage in research through a partnership with Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and the Indian River Land Trust.

✋Gain hands-on research experience
👩‍🔬Work with students, scientists, and land managers
🙋‍♂Satisfy 50+ volunteer hours
🍃Directly benefit local conservation

Students conduct team projects that contribute to land management strategies at the 220-acre Coastal Oaks Preserve, which is located along the Indian River Lagoon in Vero Beach. Fellows will learn about land conservation, work under the mentorship of FAU Harbor Branch scientists and Indian River Land Trust resource managers, conduct hands-on field and laboratory work, and present their findings to state-wide professionals during the annual Indian River Lagoon Symposium.

📍Eligibility: All incoming Juniors and Seniors attending an Indian River County High School.

Limited spaces are available - so apply today!
Application Form Link: https://shorturl.at/mDokI

For more information, please contact Dr. Gabby McHenry, Director of Education & Outreach, at [email protected], visit our website, or call the FAU Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Visitors Center at 772-242-2293.

FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

The Future of Indian River County Starts With YouThe natural places you cherish today can continue to inspire and sustai...
08/20/2026

The Future of Indian River County Starts With You

The natural places you cherish today can continue to inspire and sustain future generations. August is National Make-A-Will Month, making it the perfect time to create or update your estate plans and consider the lasting impact you can have on the community you call home.

By including the Indian River Land Trust in your will, trust, or as a beneficiary of your IRA/401K retirement account or life insurance policy, you'll help protect the natural lands, rivers, wildlife, and scenic beauty that make Indian River County special.

When you share your plans with us, you'll be welcomed into our Lagoon Legacy Society—a special community of conservation supporters we're honored to recognize and thank during their lifetimes for their vision and commitment to protecting the places we all cherish.

To learn how your legacy can protect Indian River County for generations to come, contact us at (772) 794-0701.

08/18/2026
There’s just something about a boardwalk through the mangroves. Floating over a maze of roots and still waters that teem...
08/07/2026

There’s just something about a boardwalk through the mangroves.

Floating over a maze of roots and still waters that teem with life. A quiet place where the trees close in around you.

A little bit of wild inviting you to see where the path leads.



📸: Phil Sunkel
📍: Lagoon Greenway

Leaf or fish? 🍃🐟 Is that a question you’ve ever asked yourself while out on the water? Well, there’s a reason you might ...
08/05/2026

Leaf or fish? 🍃🐟 Is that a question you’ve ever asked yourself while out on the water? Well, there’s a reason you might find yourself wondering!

Wildlife has plenty of clever adaptations to help them survive, including the art of hiding in plain sight. One great example was captured by our Director of Land Acquisition, Rose West, during a recent site visit to Bee Gum Point Preserve.

This juvenile Atlantic tripletail is doing its best “I’m just a leaf” impression near some mangrove roots along the lagoon shoreline hoping to convince us there’s nothing to see here. Atlantic tripletail is known for mimicking floating leaves and debris, using color patterns and an unusual body shape to blend in as they drift near the water’s surface. This clever camouflage helps them avoid predators and gives them the perfect opportunity to ambush unsuspecting prey.

If you look closely, you can almost see the tripletail’s eyes asking, “Are they buying it?” Honestly, we appreciate the commitment to the bit.



📸: Rose West

Our Executive Director, Ken Grudens, spoke with Bob Soos on July 28, 2026 for 97.1 Ocean FM to announce the Land Trust's...
08/04/2026

Our Executive Director, Ken Grudens, spoke with Bob Soos on July 28, 2026 for 97.1 Ocean FM to announce the Land Trust's most recent land acquisition in Sebastian, FL.

Topics include annoucing the Land Trust's recent acquisition of 1.6 acres on the south prong of the St. Sebastian river, our vision for a future greenway project in Sebastian, FL and updates on the Coastal Oaks Outdoor Living Classroom.

Our Executive Director, Ken Grudens, spoke with Bob Soos on July 28...

07/22/2026

Another Win for Conservation!

The Indian River Land Trust is proud to announce the protection of a critical 1.6-acre property along the South Prong of the St. Sebastian River - an important piece of the future St. Sebastian River Greenway.

While modest in size, this property will play a key role in connecting a future trailhead on County Route 512 with conservation lands owned by the City of Sebastian, preserving the continuity of the planned greenway trail system for future generations to enjoy.

This acquisition builds on our ongoing efforts to protect the St. Sebastian River corridor’s extraordinary diversity of wildlife and habitat. Including this latest acquisition, the Land Trust has now protected nearly 58 acres along the St. Sebastian River corridor, building on previous acquisitions in 2023 and 2025.

Every acre matters. Thank you to everyone who supports our mission to protect the land and waters that make Indian River County special. Together, we're creating a lasting conservation legacy for our community!

Learn more about our protected properties: https://www.irlt.org/cfiles/projects_lagoonwfinitiative.cfm

Address

3150 Cardinal Drive, Suite 201
Vero Beach, FL
32963

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(772) 794-0701

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