June Week (8th-12th): This week, I visited Riverside Park and Vero Beach Dog Park. I also went to the police station to seek guidance on whether permission was required for my field activities, including sharing surveys and engaging with the public, but I was referred back to the appropriate local/park authorities.
Riverside Park, near the lagoon, I observed only a few dog walkers. The park appeared to be used mostly for relaxation, walking, and biking. During the visit, I focused mainly on people who had dogs so I could briefly introduce the project and share the survey. However, some visitors without dogs said they did not own a dog and did not know anyone close to them who did.
Vero Beach Dog Park: the space was fenced and designed specifically for dogs and their owners. The park had separate areas for large dogs, water access, shaded/resting areas for dogs, and seating areas where owners could relax and enjoy the breeze while watching their dogs play. I also observed that pet waste cleanup materials, such as scoopers and brooms, were available, allowing dog owners to respond immediately when their dogs pooped. I had permission to do it, but with no treats or drinks for participants of the survey
PetSmart (11th): I visited PetSmart to request permission to set up a table for my survey outreach. I left a flyer and a sample baggie gift for the store manager to review. I am waiting for feedback on whether I will be allowed to have my table there.
June Week (22th -25th):
Pending Permission Requests
Several requests to dog service centers and other locations are still awaiting approval. I have not yet received confirmation on whether I can set up a survey table or whether the flyers I provided were shared.
Planned Follow-Up
I will follow up on the outstanding permission requests to confirm opportunities for survey outreach and flyer distribution.
Connection with UF/IFAS Extension
Through my practicum supervisor, Ms. Alexis Peralta, I connected with the UF/IFAS Extension Center. I hope this partnership will help the survey reach a wider audience of dog owners and families.
Summer Camp Preparation
I am also preparing to support the planning and delivery of summer camp activities focused on stormwater education and the protection of the Indian River Lagoon.
June 29th: Summer Camp Week One: Learning from the Lagoon
I was very excited to begin the summer camp activities and hear the beautiful memories shared about the campers and educators. I was especially excited about visiting the inlet. Ms. Heather explained the inlet in such a memorable way—as a place that “lets in” water—and every time she said it, it made the learning feel even more meaningful. The day began with a creative activity led by Ms. Jen. She gave us white paper and magazines to cut out positive words, nature images, and other things that connected with us personally. I became fully immersed in the activity so the campers could see my own sources of inspiration and the positive words that stood out to me. We later visited Sebastian Inlet State Park, where we learned more about the connection between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. We discussed the history of the first settlers, the meaning of brackish water, which is a mix of saltwater and freshwater, and the importance of mangroves and seagrass in the lagoon ecosystem.
One of the key lessons was about salinity and its effects on seagrass growth, oysters, clams, and other lagoon life. We also learned how oysters and clams help filter water and reduce excess nutrients that can contribute to algae growth. The discussion connected strongly to stormwater because precipitation and stormwater runoff are major freshwater sources for the lagoon. These freshwater inputs help influence salinity and water flow, which are important for maintaining a healthy lagoon system. We also learned about the importance of sunlight for photosynthesis, especially for seagrass, and how clear water allows sunlight to reach underwater plants. Another interesting point was learning about the rich biodiversity of the Indian River Lagoon, including the many fish and species that depend on it. During the field activity, we observed and caught different lagoon organisms, including crabs, a sea star, and bioluminescent organisms. We also measured the lagoon's salinity at the time and found it was high. This led to a discussion about why maintaining balanced salinity levels is important for oysters, clams, mangroves, and seagrass, especially because some species do not do well when salinity becomes too high. We ended the day with the story The Sea, the Storm, and the Mangrove Tangle by Lynne Cherry. The story helped bring together everything we had learned about the importance of mangroves. Mangroves protect shorelines, support life beneath the lagoon, provide habitat for birds and other species, and help reduce the impacts of flooding.
Overall, the first week reminded me that lagoon education is not only about science. It is also about storytelling, creativity, observation, and helping young people understand how connected they are to water, ecosystems, and the life around them.
July 1: Birding Day and Biodiversity at Egret Marsh
We spent the day learning more about birding, bird characteristics, and the different bird species found at Egret Marsh. One of the most meaningful lessons was seeing how a stormwater treatment facility can also support biodiversity. The presence of many different birds showed how water brings life to the environment and creates habitats for various species. We also learned that Egret Marsh has served as a bird sanctuary for many years and that a large number of bird nests were recorded this year. This showed how protected water spaces can support breeding, nesting, and the survival of wildlife. Later, we watched a documentary that showed how the Florida panther and other animals have lost parts of their natural habitats because of development and the replacement of natural spaces with concrete. The campers were then asked to draw something from nature that stood out to them in the documentary. One thing that stood out to me was how important areas near water were for animal interaction. Many animals were shown gathering around rivers, streams, and other bodies of flowing water. The documentary showed a wide range of species, including the Florida panther, whose habitat is being lost to concrete development; birds, raccoons, alligators, bears, and even ants, all of which depend on interconnected natural spaces to survive. This experience showed the extensive versatility of water as a source of life, supporting ecosystems upstream, downstream, and throughout the spaces in between its flow. It reminded me of the importance of protecting water upstream through our everyday activities. This is especially important for water bodies like the Indian River Lagoon, where water exchange is limited.
Overall, I learned that protecting water systems means protecting life itself. From large animals to the smallest species, many forms of life depend on clean, connected, and healthy water systems to survive.
July 6: From Land to Lagoon: Learning with the EnviroScape
As a camp counselor, I helped teach 8 campers in grades 7–12 about how different types of pollution can enter the Indian River Lagoon. Using the EnviroScape model, we demonstrated how everyday pollutants can be carried by rainwater into storm drains and eventually flow into the lagoon. The campers learned about the five inlets connected to the 156-mile Indian River Lagoon, and Vero Beach is located between two of them: Sebastian Inlet and Fort Pierce Inlet. This helped explain the lagoon’s limited exchange with the ocean and why water movement in the lagoon is different from that in a flowing river. Unlike a river, the lagoon does not have a strong, continuous current, as its water movement is mainly influenced by wind, tides, and the limited flow through its inlets. During the activity, we discussed oil and grease, which can sometimes appear as a rainbow-like sheen on water, as well as pesticides, herbicides, and insect sprays that may be used in backyards or front yards to control pests. When these chemicals are used excessively or left on surfaces, rainfall can wash them into storm drains and nearby waterways. The EnviroScape model included farmland, houses, animal fields, dog parks, and construction sites to demonstrate how upstream actions can affect water quality downstream, showing how different land-use activities connect to surrounding waterways that eventually flow into the lagoon. This demonstration helped the campers understand that our daily activities in the Indian River Lagoon watershed can significantly affect downstream water quality. It also emphasized the importance of preventing pollution at the source, because once pollutants mix with rainwater and enter the water system, they can be difficult to remove. For example, oil and grease may require absorbent materials, such as pads or sponges, to help remove them from the water. The activity reminded us that protecting the lagoon begins with attitude and behavior change upstream. When we make better land-use choices, we help protect the fish, birds, animals, and many other living organisms that depend on clean, healthy water throughout the watershed. We also learned about birds in Florida, which connected well to their upcoming visit to Egret Marsh, where they would have the opportunity to see some of these birds and better understand the many forms of life that depend on a healthy lagoon and watershed. By sharing this knowledge with these youngsters, they can carry it with them as they grow and continue making choices that help protect the lagoon.
Overall, the EnviroScape helped illustrate how pollutants can affect the lagoon’s turbidity and overall water quality. It also reminded us that when someone sees a pollutant, they have a responsibility to remove or properly dispose of it before it enters the storm drain, because that may be the last opportunity to prevent it from reaching the Indian River Lagoon.
June 7th: Birding, Oyster Mats, & the St. Lucie Inlet
On the second day, we headed to Egret Marsh and observed various bird species, including green herons, northern cardinals, glossy ibis, black-necked stilts, and white ibis. The birding activity helped us see how wetlands and stormwater treatment areas can provide important habitat for wildlife while also supporting water-quality protection. We learned about oyster mats and gained insight into another practical way the County’s Coastal Management and Stormwater Division supports lagoon protection beyond stormwater treatment facilities. While stormwater facilities help treat and filter runoff, some nutrients and pollutants may still reach the lagoon through untreated drains, canals, and other waterways. Through the oyster mat activity, we learned how oyster mats can be placed near docks, canals, and waterway entry points to support oyster growth. As oysters grow, they can help filter water and reduce excess nutrients and pollutants entering the lagoon. The mats can also serve as a habitat for other oysters and small organisms, creating space for life to grow within the lagoon ecosystem. We learned that nutrients are not always harmful to the lagoon because they are part of natural ecosystem processes. However, when nutrients become excessive, they can contribute to algal blooms. As algae die and decompose, they consume oxygen in the water, which can stress fish and other aquatic life. The oyster mat activity showed how important oysters can be in supporting water quality. We learned that oyster reef mats can filter 5 gallons of water in a day, underscoring their importance in improving lagoon water quality. This is important for reducing turbidity, improving overall water quality, and supporting the fish, birds, animals, and other organisms that depend on the lagoon. After learning about oyster mats and water quality, we visited the St. Lucie Inlet, one of the five inlets connected to the southern part of the Indian River Lagoon. We enjoyed swimming in the warm and clear water, which made the experience both fun and meaningful. It connected what we learned about water-quality protection to the everyday ways people use and enjoy the lagoon, including swimming and fishing.
Overall, the day showed that protecting the Indian River Lagoon is not only about reducing pollution but also about supporting habitats, biodiversity, recreation, and the many forms of life that depend on clean and healthy water.
June 8th: Bacteria, Journaling, and Water Quality at Jones' Pier
On the third day, we focused on bacteria, journaling, and water quality. We began by setting up agar plates in a small lab activity before heading out to Jones Pier to learn more about the history and importance of the Indian River Lagoon. At Jones' Pier, we learned about one of the early docks along the Indian River Lagoon and how it served as an important means of transportation before roads became common in the area. The lagoon supported movement, settlement, tourism, and trade. It helped transport food staples, medical supplies, and Indian River citrus, underscoring how important the lagoon was to the region's social and economic life many years ago. This history made me reflect on how water bodies such as lagoons and rivers have supported transportation and trade for centuries. It also made me think about their possible importance today as we discuss sustainable transportation, carbon emissions, and the need to protect natural systems that have long supported human livelihoods. During the journaling activity, we observed the mangrove islands around Jones' Pier and reflected on how mangroves help shape and protect lagoon-front environments. The area is connected to the Jungle Trail and provides a quiet space to observe nature. Although dogs and other domesticated pets are restricted on the trail, the presence of a dog water station near the entrance showed that the surrounding areas are still used by dog walkers. We observed several birds, including roseate spoonbills, northern cardinals, and other species. Just like Egret Marsh, Jones' Pier demonstrated how protected areas along the lagoon, as well as ponds and wetlands, can serve as wildlife sanctuaries. These spaces support entire ecosystems and remind us why it is important to keep the water entering the lagoon safe from pollution. As part of the water-quality activity, we collected samples from different locations, including the lagoon, ponds at Jones Pier, a nearby ditch, and the Oslo Boat Ramp. These samples were tested for bacterial activity using the agar plates we had prepared earlier. The activity helped us understand how water quality can be examined and why pollution prevention is important for protecting both human and ecosystem health.
Overall, the day connected history, science, and observation. We learned that the Indian River Lagoon has supported transportation, trade, wildlife, recreation, and community life for many generations. Protecting it from pollution is important not only for water quality but also for preserving the lagoon's natural and historical value for the future.