Indian River Land Trust

10/31/2026

Native plants do more than beautify our yards. They provide essential food and shelter for birds, butterflies, bees, and other local wildlife, while helping maintain healthy ecosystems. Since native plants are well adapted to our sandy soils, coastal conditions, and seasonal rainfall, they require less watering and fertilizer, helping reduce nutrient pollution in our waterways.

From the cheerful blooms of sea-oxeye daisy and ironweed to the colorful berries of beautyberry and the glossy leaves of wild coffee, there are many great native options for your garden. Coontie is also a wonderful choice as a host plant for the rare Atala butterfly.

At the Land Trust’s Coastal Oaks Preserve, tens of thousands of native plants have been planted as part of an ongoing large-scale habitat restoration and the creation of an outdoor Living Classroom. These plants are thriving, helping to restore the natural landscape, and will welcome visitors in the future.

Native plants truly make a difference! Consider adding them to your garden, visiting a local native plant nursery, or sharing the benefits of native landscaping with a neighbor. Every plant helps nurture local wildlife and preserve the natural beauty of our community.

Looking for inspiration? Visit our friends at the Pelican Island Audubon Society’s Native Plant Nursery to explore native plants for your garden.

10/29/2026

It's not too late to get your ticket to join us at our Annual Benefit!

🌿To purchase tickets online, visit www.irlt.org
🌿To purchase tickets by phone, call the Land Trust at (772)794-0701

RSVP Deadline: November 5, 2026

We hope you can join us!

10/15/2026

10/12/2026

🌿 One year of growth at Coastal Oaks Preserve!

A lot can change in a year! We removed invasive species and replaced them with native Florida plants that are thriving, creating a lush understory and a welcoming entrance to the preserve.

This before-and-after transformation shows how native plants can bring beauty back to the landscape while supporting Florida’s natural ecosystems. 🌱

10/03/2026

🎶 “Barracuda…” 🎶

We couldn’t resist.

This juvenile barracuda was caught while seine fishing near the newly installed living shoreline at our Bee Gum Point Preserve.

Small fish, big personality and another glimpse of the wildlife making use of this restored habitat. 🐟🌿

10/01/2026

A little Florida beauty in motion. 🦋

Meet the Phaon Crescent (Phyciodes phaon), a native Florida butterfly that can be found fluttering close to the ground in open areas.

And its name has a story.

In Greek mythology, Phaon was an elderly boatman who ferried the goddess Aphrodite across the water without asking for payment. As a reward for his kindness, Aphrodite gave him a potion that restored his youth and made him beautiful. ✨

A fitting name for a butterfly whose beauty can stop you in your tracks.

Sometimes, you just have to slow down and watch.

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09/26/2026

Living Shoreline Restoration at Bee Gum Point Preserve

A “living shoreline” is a natural, resilient approach to protecting shorelines while enhancing the health of our waterways. Unlike traditional seawalls and bulkheads, living shorelines use native plants and natural materials such as shell and rock to help reduce erosion, improve water quality, provide fish and wildlife habitat, and increase biodiversity.

The Indian River Land Trust is currently working on a living shoreline restoration project at Bee Gum Point Preserve, a 111-acre, lagoon-front property owned and managed by the Land Trust as a protected bird sanctuary. Made possible through a partnership between the Land Trust, the City of Vero Beach, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and community volunteers, the project is helping repair areas severely damaged by erosion while creating valuable shoreline habitat.

The restoration includes the placement of rock breakwaters to reduce wave action, installing Spartan fish reefs to provide habitat for fish, and planting native mangroves to help stabilize the shoreline. Together, these improvements will strengthen the shoreline and create a healthier, more productive coastal ecosystem.

Bee Gum Point Preserve provides important habitat for a variety of birds and wildlife while protecting a significant stretch of Lagoon shoreline. This project will help ensure the preserve remains a thriving natural area for wildlife for years to come.

To learn more about Bee Gum Point Preserve and other protected Land Trust properties, visit us at www.irlt.org

09/22/2026

Our Executive Director, Ken Grudens, spoke with Bob Soos on September 22, 2026 for 97.1 Ocean FM to chat about on-going Land Trust projects in Indian River County.

Topics include the history and conservation significance of Bee Gum Point Preserve, a 111-acre Indian River Land Trust preserve along the Indian River Lagoon. Ken discusses the preserve’s history and the ongoing shoreline restoration project designed to help protect and improve this special coastal landscape.

Ken also chats about the Land Trust's efforts look beyond our local waterways to the larger conservation landscape of Florida, and promotes tonight’s lecture "Corridors through Cattle Country" (event details below) about the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the important role of ranchlands in protecting connected wildlife habitat.

RAW SPACE, 1795 Old Dixie Hwy
6:00 PM
FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

09/22/2026

Ever wondered how working ranchlands can help protect Florida’s wildlife and keep wild places connected?

Join Rose West, Director of Land Acquisition at the Indian River Land Trust, tonight for a closer look at the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the important role these landscapes play in conservation.

📅 Tonight, Tuesday, September 22nd
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 RAW SPACE, 1795 Old Dixie Hwy, Vero Beach

Learn more about the wild connections shaping Florida’s future. We’ll see you there!
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