In this episode of the One Lagoon Podcast, Heather Stapleton sits down with two passionate conservation leaders — Tori White, Buffer Zone Coordinator with Brevard Zoo’s Restore Our Shores, and Bill DeLuccia, with the Space Coast Surfrider Foundation — to talk about how buffer zones and bioswales are transforming the Indian River Lagoon and inspiring communities across Florida’s Space Coast.

Buffer zones are vegetated areas between land and water that filter pollutants, reduce stormwater runoff, and provide essential habitat for birds, pollinators, and marine life. Bioswales serve a similar role but are designed for areas with different elevations and flooding patterns. Together, these nature-based solutions protect the lagoon while adding beauty and biodiversity to local parks and neighborhoods.

Tori and Bill share stories from projects at Ballard Park, Kelly Park East, Fisherman’s Landing, Pineapple Park, and other community spaces, highlighting the creativity and collaboration it takes to succeed. From choosing drought- and flood-tolerant native plants, to designing buffers that preserve water views for residents, to tackling challenges like heat stress and maintenance, every project offers valuable lessons for future restoration.

👉 Volunteer with Restore Our Shores.

👉 Learn more about Space Coast Surfrider.

👉 Learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home at OneLagoon.org.

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/

In this episode of One Lagoon, One Voice, host Caleta Scott speaks with Dan Burdett, Natural Resources Manager, and Jenny Tomes, Assistant Manager of Community Outreach for the City of Port St. Lucie. 

Together, they explain how the St. Lucie River C-23 Water Quality Project at McCarty Ranch Preserve and Extension is reducing excess freshwater discharges, capturing stormwater, and preventing nutrient pollution in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon. The project also recharges aquifers and safeguards future drinking water supplies.

Beyond water management, the preserve offers camping, RV sites, disc golf, Bonfire Hayrides, and nature trails. Jenny’s creative “Water Woman” outreach initiative helps teach kids and adults why protecting local waterways matters.

This forward-thinking project shows how Port St. Lucie is balancing community growth with environmental stewardship.

Learn more about the St. Lucie River C23 Water Quality Project.

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/

In Episode 23 of One Lagoon, One Voice, host Caleta Scott talks with Mike Martin from Fort Pierce Utilities Authority about Fort Pierce’s plan to relocate its waterfront wastewater treatment plant away from the Indian River Lagoon. They discuss the project’s advanced water treatment technology, funding milestones, and how it’s designed to improve lagoon water quality while supporting the city’s future growth.

The episode also looks ahead to redevelopment possibilities for the current plant site, from mixed-use projects to potential public spaces—always with an eye on balancing economic progress with lagoon conservation.

Follow Mike and the FPUA team on the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Facebook.

For wastewater updates from FPUA including Wastewater Wednesday vlogs, septic to sewer conversion information and updates on the new treatment facility visit https://www.sustainablesewer.net/

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/

Season 3 of One Lagoon, One Voice: The Podcast is here! Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube, or wherever else you listen to podcasts to catch a new episode every Tuesday!

Dive into Episode 22 of One Lagoon, One Voice as Daniel Kolodny, COO of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, sits down with Dr. Holly Sweat of the Smithsonian Marine Station. Together, they explore the hidden world of infauna — the tiny bottom-dwelling organisms that play a massive role in the health of the Indian River Lagoon’s sediments and ecosystems. From burrowing worms to microscopic flatworms, discover how these unsung creatures oxygenate the seafloor, recycle nutrients, and pave the way for seagrass recovery and healthier waters.

Dr. Sweat shares fascinating insights into newly discovered species, the surprising resilience of infauna in challenging conditions, and why these organisms are critical indicators of environmental health. Whether you’re passionate about marine biology, lagoon restoration, or biodiversity conservation, this episode will change the way you see the lagoon — starting from the ground up.

Follow Dr. Holly Sweat and her lab’s work on Instagram at @SmithsonianBenthicEcology or visit the Smithsonian Marine Station website. 

Check out the Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory.

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/

Season 3 of One Lagoon, One Voice: The Podcast is here! New episodes every Tuesday.  

➜ Follow on Spotify, Apple, Youtube or wherever you listen to podcasts: https://onelagoon.org/podcast/ 

In this episode of One Lagoon – One Voice, host KJ Ayers-Guerra sits down with Melissa Meisenberg, Senior Environmental Specialist for Indian River County’s Lagoon Division, to explore the county’s bold Lagoon Management Plan. From tackling harmful algal blooms and stormwater runoff to restoring oyster habitats and seagrass beds, Melissa shares how science, community partnerships, and innovative projects are working together to heal one of Florida’s most vital ecosystems.

Listeners will get an inside look at current restoration efforts like the Living Docks program, the challenges of coordinating across multiple county departments, and the importance of community involvement. Tune in to learn how Indian River County is building a more resilient future for the lagoon and the wildlife that call it home.

To learn more about Melissa Meisenberg’s work, visit the Indian River County, Florida website:
➜ https://indianriver.gov/

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/

In our 20th episode of One Voice, we chat with Dr. Melinda Donnelly and Dr. Linda Walters, professors at the University of Central Florida who work in the Coastal and Estuarine Ecology Lab.

We discuss how more than 15 years of funding has restored the oyster reefs and shorelines of the Canaveral National Seashore in the Mosquito Lagoon. Additionally, how the reduced use of plastic materials used in the restoration process has led to the development of new and improved restoration materials. We also discuss the Virtual Reality Education Project and other opportunities for volunteers to get involved.

To learn more about Dr. Walters’ and Dr. Donnelly’s restoration work, visit Stabilizing the Shoreline One Oyster at a Time or the Coastal and Estuarine Ecology Lab FaceBook (Meta) page. 

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/

In our 19th episode of One Voice, we chat with Dr. J. Cho, professor of environmental sciences at Bethune-Cookman University, Dave Fuss, director of land stewardship at the Indian River Land Trust, and Dr. Jon Shenker, professor emeritus at the Florida Institute of Technology. 

We talk all about mosquito impoundments and how they contribute to mosquito control, water quality, water connectivity and improved fish habitats. We even discuss how they can serve as seagrass nurseries — all in the Indian River Lagoon.

To learn more about Dr. J. Cho’s work, visit the Coastal Habitat Integrated Mapping and Monitoring Program Report: Florida 137. To learn more about mosquito impoundments via the Indian River Land Trust, visit Research on IRLT properties. And to learn more about Dr. Jon Shenker’s work, visit Florida Tech’s Evans Library.

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/

In our 18th episode of One Voice, we chat with Dr. Austin Fox from the Florida Institute of Technology about all things muck — and why removing it from the Indian River Lagoon is so important. 

To learn more about the Florida Institute’s muck removal project and process, visit Florida Tech’s Indian River Lagoon Research Institute and the muck dredging final reports.

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/

Our 17th episode of One Voice features Judy Orcutt, President of the Clean Water Coalition (CWC) of Indian River County, and Matt Mitts, Director of Public Works at Vero Beach. We discuss the CWC’s project to convert working families’ homes and properties in ALICE communities in Vero Beach into the city's STEP sewer system. 

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/

In our 16th episode of One Voice, we speak with project manager, Scott Tedford, from the environmental resources division at Martin County Public Works. We explore various stormwater treatments such as floating wetlands that reduce pollution in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). 

To learn more about stormwater treatment areas and Martin County’s water quality projects, visit Martin County Public Works. 

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/