Association of Fundraising Professionals announces 2011 board

Fertilizer restrictions to go into effect next month

A reminder from the Indian River Neighborhood Association to residents of Indian River County, City of Vero Beach, Sebastian and Orchid. We are coming into our rainy season when more nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous are likely to be washed from our lawns, driveways and roads into the storm water system and, ultimately, into our local waterways such as the Indian River Lagoon. The fertilizer ordinances passed by our communities goes into effect June 1st. It prohibits the use of lawn fertilizer between June 1st and September 30th. No fertilizer containing Phosphorous is to be used anytime. All fertilizers must contain at least 50% slow release Nitrogen. Finally, no fertilizer is to be applied within 10 feet of any ...

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 ...