Environmental leaders meet in Martin County to discuss 'imminent' Lake O discharges
Mark Perry, Florida Oceanographic Society Executive Director & CEO, discusses Lake Okeechobee water management with Steve Davis, Everglades Foundation chief science officer, at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Martin County.
Reaffirming the Need to Restore the Everglades in Memory of the 'Lost Summer'
Environmental Groups gathered in Stuart Tuesday, July 25th, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of what has come to be known as the ‘Lost Summer’, a series of devastating algae blooms that left south Florida residents stunned and spurred renewed efforts to restore the Everglades.
Citizen scientist teens identify fish during Stuart summer camp
Kids identify fish while snorkeling during Florida Oceanographic Society's Teen Immersion Experiences Camp at DuBois Park on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Jupiter.
'There isn't a cure or an antidote': Experts say to keep pets away from blue-green algae
Blue-green algae’s toxicity is a worry for both wildlife and humans. With the algae spreading beyond Lake Okeechobee and into canals, there’s ample cause for concern.
Sea turtle lovers swarm beach for nest dig in Jensen Beach
Sea turtle enthusiasts watch as Ecological Associates Inc. and Florida Oceanographic Society staff excavate a loggerhead nest in front of Hutchinson Shores Resort and Spa.
'Real toxic levels:' Blue-green algae bloom crisis escalates in Lake Okeechobee
The algae problem in Lake Okeechobee is becoming more prevalent.
The blue-green algae is now even visible on the canal-side of the Port Mayaca Lock, which means it is now starting to spread.
Florida Oceanographic Society committed to improving water quality in St. Lucie Estuary, Indian River Lagoon
"We need everyone to be involved in that process and stand up for our waters," Casey Kniffin, advocacy coordinator, said. "We do a lot behind the scenes."
Florida Oceanographic Society committed to improving water quality in St. Lucie Estuary, Indian River Lagoon
'I think we've recognized we can't continue to pollute it and think it’s going to survive,' Mark Perry says.
DEP investigates hacked mangroves at Sandpiper Bay Resort in Port St. Lucie
A Port St. Lucie resort has been under investigation since the state found about 944 mangrove trees — a swath the length of the Caribbean Princess cruise ship — illegally cut down to nubs on the shoreline.
Army Corps releases wet season strategy amid blue-green algae concerns
"It's thick, it's bad and if they open those gates it's coming,' Mark Perry, the executive director of the Florida Oceanographic Society, says.
New budget item feared to fuel blue-green algae on the Treasure Coast
The Florida Oceanographic Society is one of 55 organizations and municipalities that asked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto the budget item.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Environmental Leaders Applaud Governor Ron DeSantis’ Continued Environmental Commitment through the Framework for Freedom Budget
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Framework for Freedom Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24, which includes over $3.8 billion for Florida’s environment and reinforces the state’s commitment to Everglades restoration, water quality protections, vital land acquisitions, and resilience of inland and coastal communities.
Gov. DeSantis touts Florida, water quality in Fort Pierce at budget signing
Gov. Ron DeSantis came to the Pelican Yacht Club on Thursday to sign the state budget − which included $100 million for the Indian River Lagoon − and talk about his presidential campaign, on the edge of the waterway.
Lake Okeechobee almost completely covered in algae, sparking summer concerns
'It's very, very concerning that we're already into this, and it's only the beginning of June,' Mark Perry says.
‘It’s devastating’: Florida questioning Michael Mota after resort’s protected mangrove trees chopped down
“It’s devastating,” said Loraé T. Simpson, the director of scientific research and conservation, at the Florida Oceanographic Society.
Fertilizer Fight: 55 groups pen letter to governor to veto fertilizer study, protect water
Nitrogen and Phosphorous can make your lawn beautiful, but they also feed blue-green algae and kill seagrass, critical to marine life in our waterways. Environmental groups want the governor to veto a plan they say will hurt local ecosystems.
3D-printed concrete reef placed in Florida Oceanographic Society's Gamefish Lagoon
Florida’s coral reefs have been having a tough time in nature, so a Treasure Coast business has teamed up with a well-known environmental group to see if their man-made concept of a 3D-printed reef can help.
Toxic algae blooms reported in Port Mayaca
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported a 'moderate' level of toxic algae blooms in Martin County over the weekend.
Water samples from two counties show blue-green algae has returned to Lake Okeechobee
Blue-green algae is showing up yet again in Lake Okeechobee. Samples taken from lake water in two counties this week showed the presence of the harmful bacteria.
NASA program aims to help fix lagoon woes. What you need to know.
Imagine seagrass in the Banana River as thick as the shag carpet that covered the floors of Brevard County homes at the height of the space race.
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast 'highly skeptical' as new Lake Okeechobee water release schedule drags on
"Well, are big question is, why now? Why not before when we were doing all this review?" Perry asked. "Now this is going to delay the implementation of this new schedule for the lake."
Blue-green algae presence at Lake Okeechobee causing concern on Treasure Coast
“It’ll continue to bloom as long as it has those right conditions, the nutrients, the sunlight," said Executive Director of Florida Oceanographic Society Mark Perry. "Because, we know last year at the end of the year we had a lot of rainfall due to hurricane Ian so all of that nutrients entered the lake."
Lake O discharges to Stuart will stop April 15, will continue for Caloosahatchee River
Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie River will stop April 15, but they will continue to the Caloosahatchee River, the Army Corps of Engineers announced Friday.
Manatee sighting network in Alachua County kept track of the charismatic mammal at a time of statewide concern
Zack Jud, who has a doctorate in biology from Florida International University, is the director of education for the Florida Oceanographic Society. His focus is more on game fish, but he said manatees have become crucial to overall ecosystem health.
Congressman Brian Mast reintroduces 3 bills to protect Lake Okeechobee
The discharges from Lake Okeechobee through the Port Mayaca and St. Lucie Lock and Dams continues to anger Congressman Brian Mast - as well as environmental organizations in the region.
Calls to limit discharges from Lake Okeechobee into St. Lucie Inlet
An ongoing battle on the Treasure Coast continues as residents fight for more protection for the St. Lucie Estuary.
