Volunteers needed for the Fall Garden Workday at the DEP Native Plant Pollinator Garden in Titusville! Learn and have fun while you help us plant native plants, remove invasive and non-native plants, and edge and mulch. The DEP Native Plant Pollinator Garden is a roadside public demonstration and … [Read more...] about Fall Garden Workday!
FOSI Feline!
Last week we had a boater reach out to us about a cat on spoil island BC-47 in Brevard County. Apparently the boater saw what she thought was a cat darting by a few weeks ago, but wasn’t sure. Last week they were back out at BC-47 and she saw it again, so she reached out to us. IRLAP staff went out … [Read more...] about FOSI Feline!
Bird Banding day in Mosquito Lagoon!
IRLAP staff and Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve staff banded three American oystercatcher chicks in Mosquito Lagoon. The bands will allow us to track these birds and learn where they disperse to. If you spot a banded bird, please report them, and if possible take a picture. All work is done under … [Read more...] about Bird Banding day in Mosquito Lagoon!
B.A.R.K. Ranger Ambassador Training
Make your pet a B.A.R.K. Ranger Ambassador for our local parks and preserves! FDEP Environmental Specialist Kaitlyn Britton presents a class on the responsible use of our natural and public lands with our furry friends! The event is a 1.5-hour workshop geared toward pet owners who are passionate … [Read more...] about B.A.R.K. Ranger Ambassador Training
Celebrate Pollinator Month with the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves!
Join us for 3 webinars and 1 outdoor event in June focused on the importance of lagoon friendly landscaping and the pollinators it can bring! The DEP Titusville Native Plant Pollinator Garden is looking for bee and butterfly citizen scientists! Participation in Pollinator Month events completes … [Read more...] about Celebrate Pollinator Month with the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves!
Newly hatched American oystercatchers in Mosquito Lagoon!
FOSI and IRLAP are excited to announce the arrival of two American oystercatcher chicks in Mosquito Lagoon! This chicks hatched over the weekend. Thanks to the camera funded by FOSI, IRLAP is able to follow this little family. Please stay off of posted islands. These chicks are very vulnerable to … [Read more...] about Newly hatched American oystercatchers in Mosquito Lagoon!
Least terns on BC-48!
BC-48– Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves staff posted a least tern (Sternula antillarum) nesting area that was active last season from May to July 2022. This year, the terns came back and started nesting in April. So far, there are 26 active least tern ground nests on the BC48 spoil island sand … [Read more...] about Least terns on BC-48!
IR-25 gets a new picnic area!
FOSI and IRLAP would like to thank the Vero Beach Yacht Club Chapter (VBYC) of the International Order of the Blue Gavel(IOBG) for their generous donation of a new picnic table on IR-25. A few weeks ago, Frank Bilotta, president of VBYC chapter of IOBG and Kristin Rohr, Commodore, Vero Beach Yacht … [Read more...] about IR-25 gets a new picnic area!
Bats!
Last month IRLAP and FWC conducted monitoring work on BC-49, an island designated as a Critical Wildlife Area. Part of the work included the deployment of an acoustic receiver to record bat calls. While the data is still being processed, we did get confirmation of over 400 calls recorded during the … [Read more...] about Bats!