Piper Education Program

Environmental groups continue lagoon cleanup and education efforts

Even as much of Florida and the world have come to pretty much of a standstill due to COVID-19, local environmental and conservation organizations are still working to clean up the troubled Indian River Lagoon and educate school children and other members of the public about lagoon issues – all while maintaining social distancing. Ocean Research and Conservation Association is conducting its usual suite of environmental monitoring programs – maintaining its Kilroy network of water quality stations around the lagoon and doing other field work. ORCA chief scientist Dr. Edie Widder said it’s not difficult for the organization’s 13 fulltime employees to maintain a safe distance from each other in the field. ORCA has postponed all its citizen science training ...

Youth of the Month awards go to 4 local teens

The Sebastian Exchange Club's Youth of the Month awards recognize hard-working pre-high school and high school students who attain high levels of scholastic achievement, community involvement and leadership and daily demonstrate good citizenship both at school and at home. Honored in March were Lesley Hernandez of Sebastian Charter Junior High School, Colin Willis of Sebastian River Middle School, and Diana Rodriguez and Alexander Ciudad of Sebastian River High School.  Hernandez, a hard worker, has quickly learned to manage her time effectively. Her work ethic and drive to be an excellent student is apparent in her persistence and intellectual curiosity. A thoughtful young woman, Hernandez is confident with her studies and her peers, and an outstanding student with impeccable conduct and ...

Impact 100 grants $433k to local nonprofits

The Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), the Indian River Charter High School, the Florida Institute of Technology Scott Center for Autism Treatment, and the Shining Light Garden Foundation are all $100,000 richer, thanks to the 433 philanthropic members of Indian River County Impact 100. With smiles of excitement, the ladies gathered at the Oak Harbor Clubhouse Thursday afternoon, eager to cast their votes and determine which four of the seven nonprofit finalists would each be receiving a $100,000 transformational grant. They would join the ranks of 15 previous programs receiving grants in the areas of family, education, health and wellness, and enrichment and environment. The remaining three finalists, Sebastian Charter Junior High School, Old Vero Ice Age Sites Committee ...