INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Organizers of a Save Our Lagoon Rally planned for Saturday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Riverside Park hope the event will draw the kind of crowds and attention similar rally’s in Martin County have attracted in recent weeks, where thousands of fired-up citizens have gathered to demand government action to remedy environmental problems in the estuary.
Lange Sykes, president of the Treasure Coast Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association, says 400 people had RSVP’d at the event Facebook page by the end of last week.
“I think we will have at least 500 people, maybe more,” Sykes says. “If we could get two thousand, that would be fantastic. The idea is to galvanize support for the central lagoon, so we can get the attention of elected officials and begin to affect change in this area to deal with the terrible problems plaguing the lagoon.”
Will Collins, owner of South Beach restaurant Wills 55, is helping Sykes organize the family-friendly event that will include food, music, children’s activities, oyster mat making and guest speakers.
Sponsoring organizations include the Coastal Conservation Association, The Environmental Learning Center and the Ocean Research and the Conservation Association (ORCA).
Guest speakers will include ORCA founder and chief scientist Dr. Eddie Widder and Dr. Grant Gilmore.
Oyster mat making will be overseen by Vero Beach architect and fishing guide Paul Dritenbas, who represents Indian River County on the board of the Florida Inland Navigation District.
“The mats will go to enlarge the oyster reef at the Moorings,” Sykes says. “Each oyster that grows on the reef filters something like fifty gallons of water a day, so it will be an opportunity for people to do something hands-on that will directly benefit the health of the lagoon.”
Sykes says rally attendees will have the opportunity to donate to a fund for additional Indian River County oyster reef restoration.
Sponsoring organizations will offer informational handouts and volunteer opportunities for people who want to lend a hand restoring the lagoon, which has suffered severe ecological deterioration in the past two and a half years due to nutrient contamination from fertilizer runoff and septic system contamination.
The rally will take place in the undeveloped part of the park between the boat ramp and fire station, south of the Barber Bridge. Sykes say Vero Beach City Manager Jim O’Connor waived the normal rental fee for use of the park to help support the rally.